Aeronca 7AC N84583 accident near Monongahela, Pennsylvania

Probable cause

The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was conducting takeoffs and landings in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, which he had not previously flown. A witness reported that, after takeoff, the airplane pitched up “sharply, then went straight down,” consistent with an aerodynamic stall. The pilot stated that he “assumed” that, during takeoff, the airplane got too slow and stalled, which resulted in impact with trees and terrain.

Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation; therefore, it is likely that, during the initial climb after takeoff, the pilot failed to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA22LA244 for the full record.