What happened
The Aeronica 7AC departed from a private airstrip but failed to gain sufficient altitude during the initial climb phase. Shortly after leaving the ground, the aircraft descended into a line of trees. The pilot later reported that a passenger was holding a sack of corn during the takeoff roll or initial climb. The sack slipped downward and became lodged in the cockpit, physically jamming the flight controls. This mechanical obstruction prevented the pilot from maneuvering the aircraft to clear the treeline.
The investigation
Federal Aviation Administration investigators examined the circumstances of the accident. They determined that the aircraft struck the trees with slow forward airspeed and a high angle of attack. The physical evidence and pilot report indicated that the flight controls were immobilized by the foreign object. Investigators characterized the event as a stall-type accident resulting from the inability to control the aircraft's pitch and attitude.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was the jammed flight controls. The obstruction was caused by a loose item, specifically a sack of corn held by a passenger, which shifted position during the critical phase of flight. This incident highlights the danger of unsecured cargo or loose items in the cockpit area during takeoff and landing.
Safety message
Passengers must ensure that all personal items are securely stowed and cannot interfere with flight controls. Loose objects in the cockpit pose a significant hazard to aircraft control, particularly during low-speed phases of flight such as takeoff and landing.