Probable cause
The pilot did not maintain clearance from a tree during the final approach in solar glare conditions.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported encountering solar glare during landing on runway 27. The airplane impacted a tree on the right edge of the approach end of the runway, then impacted the ground and came to rest inverted about 140 feet from the tree. The airplane sustained damage to the engine firewall, fuselage, and right wing. A postaccident examination of the airplane found no evidence of mechanical malfunction or anomalies. According to U.S. Naval Observatory data for the day of the accident, sunset occurred at 1800, about 45 minutes after the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA12CA035 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 17, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Berkley, Massachusetts
- Nearest airport
- Myricks Airport (1M8)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
American Champion Aircraft 7AC
- N-number
- N3662E
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.