Casualties unknown

1990-04-30: Aeronca 7AC (N112AW) — Kutztown Aviation Ser., Inc. — Kutztown, PA

Kutztown, PA, US

On April 30, 1990, an Aeronca 7AC (registration N112AW) operated by Kutztown Aviation Ser., Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Kutztown, PA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, due to the student's continued backward pressure on the elevator control after the instructor had taken control of the aircraft. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A student pilot failed to lower the nose after rotation during takeoff, leading to a stall and crash despite instructor intervention.

What happened

During the initial climb phase of a training flight, the aircraft rotated for takeoff. Immediately following lift-off, the student pilot maintained an excessively high angle of attack instead of establishing a positive rate of climb. The pilot failed to follow standard procedures by not lowering the nose or increasing airspeed as instructed.

The instructor pilot recognized the developing situation and took control of the aircraft to attempt a recovery. However, the student pilot simultaneously pulled the control stick back with significant force. This conflicting input caused the aircraft to enter an aerodynamic stall. The crash occurred in a slightly nose-down attitude with the left wing low.

Findings

The primary factor in this accident was the student pilot's failure to maintain proper pitch control during the critical takeoff phase. The inability to recognize and correct the high angle of attack led directly to the stall. The instructor's attempt to recover was compromised by the student's continued backward pressure on the controls.

Safety message

This incident highlights the importance of clear communication and trust between student pilots and instructors during training maneuvers. Pilots must adhere strictly to flight instructions, especially during high-workload phases like takeoff.

Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, due to the student's continued backward pressure on the elevator control after the instructor had taken control of the aircraft.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X23023. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.