Loss of Control in Flight · NTSB ERA15FA017
AERONCA 7EC — Cordele, GA
| Date | October 16, 2014 |
| Location | Cordele, GA |
| Aircraft | AERONCA 7EC |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Uncontrolled descent Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) |
| Pilot age | 62 |
| Pilot total time | 3,272 hrs · High time |
| Time in type | 378 hrs |
| Fatalities | 1, 1 serious |
Probable cause
An in-flight loss of control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
NTSB findings
- Not determined-Not determined-(general)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined - C
What happened
After a planned refueling stop, the pilot taxied to a runway intersection and began his takeoff roll. Witnesses reported that when the airplane 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 degree turn and then impacted the ground. 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.