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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

June 9, 1990 · Aeronca 7AC · N83555

Deer River, MN

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 9, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Deer River, MN
Aircraft
Aeronca 7AC
Tail Number
N83555
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC90LA121

THE PVT PILOT SAID THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT ABOUT 150 AGL, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MISFIRE. HE LOWERED THE NOSE AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN NORMALLY, SO HE RE-ESTABLISHED A CLIMB, THEN THE ENGINE QUIT. HE DECIDED TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY AND LAND, BUT SAID THAT HIS AIRSPEED WAS TOO SLOW, AND THE ACFT ENTERED A SPIN. PRIOR TO IMPACTING THE TERRAIN, THE ACFT FLARED AND HIT THE GROUND IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE. SHORTLY AFTER, THE AIRCRAFT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE THOUGHT HE HAD ABOUT 3 1/2 GALLONS ON FUEL ON BOARD PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. WITNESSES SAID THAT THERE WAS ABOUT 1500 FEET OF USABLE RUNWAY LEFT, WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED.

NTSB Probable Cause

AIRSPEED NOT MAINTAINED AND STALL/SPIN ENCOUNTERED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.

Full Narrative

THE PVT PILOT SAID THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT ABOUT 150 AGL, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MISFIRE. HE LOWERED THE NOSE AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN NORMALLY, SO HE RE-ESTABLISHED A CLIMB, THEN THE ENGINE QUIT. HE DECIDED TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY AND LAND, BUT SAID THAT HIS AIRSPEED WAS TOO SLOW, AND THE ACFT ENTERED A SPIN. PRIOR TO IMPACTING THE TERRAIN, THE ACFT FLARED AND HIT THE GROUND IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE. SHORTLY AFTER, THE AIRCRAFT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE THOUGHT HE HAD ABOUT 3 1/2 GALLONS ON FUEL ON BOARD PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. WITNESSES SAID THAT THERE WAS ABOUT 1500 FEET OF USABLE RUNWAY LEFT, WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 CDT
Nearest AirportBowstring (0nm N)
Runway27
Runway Length2398 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftAeronca 7AC
Tail NumberN83555
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A-65 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time16:45
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data