Aircraft and Pilots
The pilot of N5878R, a Cessna 172G, had no previous experience in formation flying. The pilot of N2603E, an Aeronca 7AC, stated he had many hours of formation flying in the military during World War II and has made occasional formation flights since, but apparently had very little or no recent experience in that type of flying.
Flight Plan
The two pilots had preplanned the formation flight that terminated in the accident, including hand signals to be used since they could not communicate by radio. The Cessna was to be the lead plane. The Aeronca was flying as right wingman.
Accident Sequence
During the flight, the Aeronca gave the prearranged signal and crossed under the Cessna to come up on his left wing. As it did so, the top of the Aeronca's right wing contacted the bottom of the Cessna's left wing. According to witnesses, the altitude was between 200 and 350 feet above ground level. Following the contact, the Cessna pitched up, stalled, then pitched steeply nose down and did not recover from the descent. The Aeronca dived, then made a climbing circle to the left and returned to the airport, where it made a successful landing.
Aftermath
The Cessna continued its descent without recovery. No further details about the outcome of the Cessna or its occupants are provided in the source.