Aeronca 7BCM N2558E

Summary

On 21 June 2017 at about 01:00 local time, a Aeronca 7BCM registered N2558E was involved in an accident near Mahnomen, Minnesota, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 June 2017 at 01:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Mahnomen, Minnesota, United States

Nearest airport

Mahnomen County Airport (3N8)

Coordinates

47.2672, -95.9203

Aircraft

Aeronca 7BCM

Registration

N2558E

Category

Airplane

Year built

1946

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Mahnomen → Mahnomen

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN17LA238

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot’s failure to abort the takeoff after recognizing a partial loss of engine power during the takeoff roll and his subsequent inability to maintain adequate airspeed during a turn to avoid power lines, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. The reasons for the loss of engine power could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The sport pilot reported that the initial takeoff roll was normal but that he then noted that the airplane was not gaining airspeed and that the engine was not developing full power; however, he decided to continue the takeoff. He stated that, once he was committed to the takeoff, there seemed to be an even "greater loss of power." The airplane only reached 150 ft, and he decided to turn right to avoid a highway and power lines. He initiated a 20° bank, and subsequently the airplane stalled and then impacted a bean field adjacent to the airport. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Although weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to moderate icing at cruise power or serious carburetor icing at descent power, given the airplane was at takeoff power, it is unlikely that carburetor ice accumulated and caused the power loss. The pilot's decision to not abort the takeoff at the first sign of a loss of engine power resulted in a slow airspeed during the initial climb during a turn, which resulted in the aerodynamic stall.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.