On April 25, 1989, an Aeronca 7AC (registration N85243) was involved in an aviation accident near Marseilles, IL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: PIC'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT'S CLIMB PERFORMANCE AS HE ATTEMPTED TO TAKE OFF UP HILL AND OVER WIRES. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft departing a 2000-foot sod runway westward uphill suffered substantial damage after its tailwheel snagged 50-foot-high power lines 450 feet west of the runway during initial climb.
Accident Details
An aircraft took off to the west uphill from a 2000-foot sod runway. During the initial climb, the tailwheel snagged power lines approximately 50 feet high that ran north and south, located 450 feet west of the departure end of the runway. The terrain rose beyond the departure end. After snagging the lines, the aircraft lost airspeed and descended out of control into an empty field. The pilot reported the wind as calm; however, a frontal system was approaching the area.
Post-Accident Investigation
Post-accident investigation showed that the aircraft landed hard in a level attitude. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.