N85065Aeronca 7CCM · 1946

On August 14, 2010, approximately 1045 central daylight time, an Aeronca 7CCM, N85065, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Justin, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and passenger on board the airplane were not injured. The local flight originated from Roanoke, Texas, at 1030, and was returning to that airport when the accident occurred.

According to the FAA inspector who went to the scene, the pilot said he had flown over to Prop Wash Airstrip (16X), Justin, where he made a full-stop landing. He taxied back and took off. During climb out, the engine "sputtered" and lost power. The pilot made a forced landing on a grass field near the airstrip. During the landing, the right main collapsed and the right wing and lift strut were bent. The pilot said in his written statement that accident could have been prevented if he had "Start[ed] fuel transfer from gravity feed wing tanks to [the] main tank earlier."

An examination of the airplane showed substantial damage to the right main landing gear, right lower fuselage, right outboard wing and lift strut, and fracture damage to the propeller. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the engine and other airplane systems revealed no anomalies.