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April 28, 2003 · Aeronca AR-58-058B · N46183

Brattleboro, VT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 28, 2003
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Brattleboro, VT
Aircraft
Aeronca AR-58-058B
Tail Number
N46183
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
IAD03LA052

According to the pilot, during an initial climbout from a 1,700-foot grass airstrip, at an altitude of about 200 feet, a "gust of wind" forced the airplane downward. The pilot was unable to continue the climb, so he initiated a turn to the left, and the airplane subsequently "stalled into the trees." A witness reported that the airplane "lost lift" over a sandpit, an area where local pilots expected downdrafts. The accident pilot had never departed over the sandpit before.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and a subsequent descent into trees. A factor in the accident was the downdrafts.

Full Narrative

On April 28, 2003, at 1700 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca AR-58-058B, N46183, was substantially damaged shortly after takeoff from Moore's Field (VT41), Brattleboro, Vermont. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a telephone interview, the pilot stated that the airport consisted of a single grass runway about 1,700 feet in length, and 40 feet wide. The pilot had flown into the airport the previous September and had only made one flight since then, on April 25th, in which he performed three takeoffs and landings in the traffic pattern. The runway was oriented on a north-south heading, and while based at the airport, he had never taken off toward the south. On the day of the accident, the pilot determined, by observing the windsock, that the winds were from the southwest, gusting to about 15 knots. He performed a preflight inspection, and decided to take off toward the south. During the takeoff climb, at an altitude of about 200 feet, a "gust of wind" forced the airplane downward, and the pilot was unable to continue the climb. The pilot initiated a turn to the left, and the airplane then "stalled into the trees." The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane, and stated that he "should have waited for the wind to stop gusting" before he departed. A witness, who also had experience flying at the airport, stated that he observed the airplane depart toward the south and climb "slowly and steadily." As the airplane flew over a sandpit at the departure end of the runway, it "lost lift, and fell to the left, impacting trees." The witness stated that pilots based at the airport often expected downdrafts in the vicinity of the sandpit. Another witness observed the airplane during the takeoff climb. She stated that it began to "wobble" from side to side, the left wing dropped, and it "fell into the trees." An examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to both wings. No mechanical anomalies were noted. Weather reported at the Hartness State Airport (VSF), Springfield, Vermont, 25 miles to the north, at 1654, included winds from 260 degrees true at 10 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear skies, temperature 79 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 34 degrees Fahrenheit, and altimeter setting 29.75 inches Hg.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 EDT
Nearest AirportMoores Field (0nm)
Runway21
Runway Length1800 ft
Runway Width80 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAeronca AR-58-058B
Tail NumberN46183
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A-65-8 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
Wind260° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point34 C
Altimeter29.75 inHg
Observation Time21:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data