After a planned refueling stop at Cordele, Georgia, the pilot taxied to a runway intersection and began his takeoff roll.
Witnesses reported that when the Aeronca 7EC was about 200 feet above ground level, it entered a gradual left turn, which progressed into a steep left turn. The airplane lost altitude during a 180° turn and then hit the ground, resulting in one fatality and one serious injury.
An examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot’s autopsy noted mild coronary atherosclerosis; however, it is unlikely that this would have resulted in preaccident incapacitation of the pilot.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause of this accident as an in-flight loss of control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
NTSB Identification: ERA15FA017
This October 2014 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
This is a really odd accident sequence. The pilot took off, then began a gradual turn at 200′ that appeared to several pilots familiar with him to be coordinated and smooth. The bank continued to increase as the aircraft descended and struck the ground. No mechanical malfunctions or fuel issues were discovered during the investigation. The wife of the accident pilot, who was a passenger in the aircraft, had no recollection of the events of the day. Two observers speculated the pilot was somehow incapacitated. One of the pilot-witnesses mentioned that the accident pilot had several times previously excused himself from meals because “he had to throw up”. The pilot’s physician said the accident pilot suffered from acid reflux so an OTC med was prescribed. The wife reported the acid reflux problem was controlled by the OTC med. The pilot was described by several witnesses as ‘careful’ and deliberate. Steep turns in the pattern were not described as typical for this pilot.