Aeronca 7AC Safety Record

The pilot's decision to initiate an aborted landing at an airport where, due to the high density altitude, his aircraft was unable to outclimb the rising terrain that surrounded airport. Factors include a high density altitude and crosswinds.

The inadvertent engine start due to the pilot's failure to ensure that the magneto switch was in the OFF position when he was attempting to clear the flooded engine. A factor was the pilot's improper starting procedure, which resulted in flooding the engine.

The failure of maintenance personnel to properly tighten the magneto clamps during installation of the engine on the aircraft following engine overhaul.

failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground swerve and subsequent collision with a parked airplane. Related factors were: the pilot's lack of experience in tailwheel aircraft, the crosswind, and the proximity of the parked airplane.

the pilot's failure to properly set the airplane controls prior to hand propping. Factors in the accident were the pilot's failure to properly chock the wheels and his decision to leave the cockpit unmanned during start.

the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control during the landing and go-around. The gusty/crosswind condition and proximity of obstructions (runway sign and rocks) were related factors.

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing gusty crosswind condition, and his failure to maintain runway alignment. The gusty crosswind was a related factor.

the pilot's premature decision to reduce power, following application of carburetor heat, when engine operation became rougher after experiencing roughness due to carburetor icing. The weather (carburetor icing) conditions and carburetor ice were related factors.

failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during take-off, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve and subsequent dragging of the right wing. The pilot's lack of experience in the make/model of aircraft was a related factor.

failure of the pilot to see-and-avoid a guy wire along the border of a field that was being agriculturally treated. The sunglare, guy wire, and lack of visual cues were related factors.

fuel exhaustion resulting in engine failure, the inadvertant stall, and improper decision by the pilot to attempt a large heading change at low altitude and airspeed. A factor relating to this accident is no fuel quantity gage installed in the airplane.

The flight instructor's inadequate preflight which failed to detect an inadequate fuel supply which subsequently resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power.

was the the second pilot's loss of directional control during the takeoff roll, and the flight instructor/pilot-in-command's inadequate supervision of the flight instructor/second pilot. A related factor was the flight instructor/second pilot's lack of total flight experience in the accident kind of airplane.

a loss of engine power/performance for undetermined reasons. Related factors were: the pilot exceeding the airplane's maximum takeoff weight, carburetor icing conditions, a tailwind, and high temperature.

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and his inadequate evaluation of the weather conditions which resulted in an overrun. A factor is the sudden windshift.

a loss of engine power due to an in-flight separation of the fuel system gascolator glass bowl resulting in a premature fuel exhaustion. The rough/uneven terrain is a factor in this accident.

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE RUDDER CONTROL WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL, AND IMPROPER USE OF THE ELEVATOR CONTROL, IN THAT HE MAINTAINED BACK PRESSURE AFTER THE STALL ENTRY, KEEPING THE AIRPLANE IN A STALLED CONDITIONS.

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER RECOVERY FR0M A BOUNCED LANDING, AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED IN UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS FOR AN ATTEMPTED GO-AROUND (ABORTED LANDING), WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL/MUSH AND A DRAGGED WINGTIP. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN CONVENTIONAL GEAR (TAILWHEEL) AIRCRAFT, UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALIGNMENT DURING THE BOUNCED LANDING.