Fatal Crash of Aeronca 7AC "Champ" - Cranland Airport, Hanson, Massachusetts

On August 24, 2018, around 1535 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 7AC Champion, N65HM, was substantially damaged after it impacted terrain near Cranland Airport (28M), Hanson, Massachusetts. The commercial pilot was fatally injured and the passenger was seriously injured.

A review of airport security surveillance video showed that from the time the airplane engine started to the time it began the takeoff roll on runway 18 was about 7 minutes. Then, a video from another angle showed when it was approximately 100 ft above ground level, the airplane leveled off, began to bank to the left, continued the turn until it descended below the trees, and then the sound of impact could be heard.

First responders reported that the airplane came to rest in a nose down, near vertical position and that they had to move the airplane in order to perform rescue operations.

According to Federal Aviation Administration records, the pilot held a commercial pilot certificate for with ratings for rotorcraft - helicopter and instrument helicopter and a private pilot certificate for airplane single-engine land and sea. The pilot was issued a first-class medical certificate on October 10, 2017, with no limitations. According to the pilot's logbook, he had accumulated 195.7 hours of civilian flight time, of which, 4 hours were in the accident airplane in the most recent 3 years.

According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 1946, and was registered to an individual in 2015. In addition, it was equipped with a Continental Motors Inc. C90 series, 90-horsepower engine that drove a fixed pitch propeller. According to airplane maintenance logbooks, an annual inspection was completed on the airplane on October 1, 2017, at a total time of 1521.4 hours and a Tachometer time of 3215.1 hours. The tachometer located in the airplane at the time of the accident indicated 3325.1 hours.

The recorded weather observation at Plymouth Municipal Airport (PYM) Plymouth, Massachussetts, at 1552, about 8 miles to the southeast of the accident location, included wind from 210° at 7 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 27° C, dew point 12° C; and an altimeter setting of 30.20 inches of mercury.

The airplane impacted a bog 470 ft to the east from the departure end of runway 18. The main wreckage was located at an elevation of 59 ft above mean sea level. All components of the airplane were located in the vicinity of the wreckage.

The nose section of the airplane was impact crushed aft. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the flight controls in the cockpit to all flight control surfaces. The leading edge of the right and left wings were impact crushed along the entire span of the wing. A fuel sample was taken from both fuel tanks and the samples tested negative for water contamination. The empennage of the airplane and aft flight control surfaces remained intact and attached to the fuselage. There was no stall warning system or angle of attack indicator on the airplane.

The engine remained attached to the airframe and the propeller remained attached to the engine. One propeller blade was bent slightly aft and the other blade remained straight. Engine crankshaft continuity was confirmed from the propeller flange to the accessory section of the engine. All cylinders remained attached to the crankcase and thumb compression and suction was observed on all cylinders when the propeller was rotated through the entire range of motion. The rocker box covers were removed and no anomalies were noted with the valve springs and rocker arms. Valvetrain continuity was confirmed when the crankshaft was rotated by hand.

The carburetor was removed and disassembled. The gasket was examined with no anomalies noted. The float assembly remained intact with no anomalies noted. The butterfly valve and fuel pump operated when the throttle arm was moved by hand. The needle and seat remained in place. The carburetor bowl was examined and contained brownish fluid similar to the water noted in the bog. In addition, the fluid inside the carburetor bowl smelled similar to 100LL aviation fuel.

The fuel shutoff valve was removed and examined. It was discovered in the closed position. It operated without anomaly when it was moved with pliers.

The left and right magneto were removed. When each magneto was rotated by hand, spark was observed on all towers. The top spark plugs were removed. All but the No. 2 top spark plugs were in "normal" condition when compared to the Champion Check A Plug Chart. The No. 2 top spark plug exhibited "normal-worn out" condition when compared to the Champion Check a Plug Chart.

Cranland Airport is a public airport located 3 miles southeast of Hanson, Massachusetts. It does not have an operating control tower. The airport is equipped with a runway designated as 18/36, which is 1760 ft-long by 60 ft-wide and composed of asphalt. The airport elevation is 71 ft above mean sea level.

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