N9098CAeronca 7BCM

On June 14, 2018, about 1115 central daylight time, an Aeronca 7BCM airplane, N9098C, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Eureka Springs, Arkansas. The private pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The accident occurred during the pilot's first flight after he purchased the airplane earlier that morning. He stated that the previous owner had refueled the airplane with 100 low-lead aviation fuel before he arrived at Silver Wings Field Airport, Eureka Springs, Arkansas. The airplane fuel tank had about 13 gallons of fuel before the flight. The pilot stated that he did not identify any anomalies during his preflight inspection of the airplane and brief orientation of the cockpit. He reported that the engine started normally and that he observed no anomalies during two separate engine runups that he completed before takeoff. He noted that he verified full engine speed, checked proper operation of both magnetos, and cycled the carburetor heat control during both engine run-ups. The pilot noted that his intention was to takeoff from runway 34 and initially orbit the airport before continuing toward his destination.

The pilot reported that he made an uneventful takeoff and the airplane climbed above the trees located at the end of the runway; however, shortly after clearing the trees, when the airplane was about 200 ft above ground level, the engine suddenly lost power. The pilot stated that the engine was partially running but was unable to produce enough thrust to sustain level flight. The pilot reported that he immediately decided to return to the airport because there was only heavily wooded terrain ahead of the airplane's position. The pilot stated that he rolled the airplane into a steep left turn, and about halfway through the 180° turn, the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall at a low altitude. The pilot reported that the airplane impacted terrain in a left-wing-down, nose-down attitude.

An onsite examination of the airplane was completed by an airworthiness inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA inspector reported that the forward fuselage, outboard left wing, and both wing struts sustained substantial damage during the accident. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the cockpit controls to the individual flight control surfaces. Fuel recovered from the fuel filter assembly and carburetor float bowl was blue in color, had the odor of 100 low-lead aviation fuel, and was not contaminated. The engine remained attached to the firewall through its mounts, but the carburetor had separated from the engine crankcase during impact. Internal engine and valve train continuity were confirmed as the engine crankshaft was rotated. Compression and suction were noted on all cylinders in conjunction with crankshaft rotation. The upper spark plugs were removed and exhibited features consistent with normal engine operation. Both magnetos produced spark as the engine crankshaft was rotated. The propeller remained attached to the engine crankshaft flange. Both propeller blades exhibited S-shape bends, blade twisting, leading-edge gouging, and chordwise burnishing. The postaccident examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any evidence of mechanical malfunction that would have precluded normal operation.

A review of available maintenance documentation revealed that the airplane had accumulated 0.75 hours since the last annual inspection that was completed on October 21, 2016. The pilot, who also held an aviation mechanic certificate with inspector authorization, did not apply for a ferry flight permit before the flight.