On June 10, 2000, an Aeronca 7BCM (registration N83972) operated by Seminole Aviation Assoc. Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Palmetto, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during final approach to landing, resulting in an inadvertent stall. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a power-off landing practice on runway 7, the pilot reduced throttle to idle on downwind and later reported no engine response on final. Witnesses observed a steep right bank, rapid descent, and heard power applied before impact. Post-accident examination found no mechanical discrepancies.
Flight Maneuver
A pilot was practicing a power-off landing on runway 7. While on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, he retarded the throttle to idle. Shortly after turning onto final approach, he stated that he attempted to apply power but there was 'no response.'
Witness Observations
Witnesses observed the pilot turn the airplane onto the base leg in a steep right bank at the midpoint of the runway. The steep bank continued while the airplane turned onto final approach, and the airplane descended rapidly. At 40 to 60 feet above ground level, the wings were leveled while the airplane had diminutive forward airspeed. Both witnesses heard what sounded like power being applied to the engine moments before impact.
Impact and Examination
The airplane then impacted the ground near the midfield point of the runway in a wings-level attitude, damaging the propeller and right wing. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical discrepancies, and weather conditions at the time of the accident were not favorable for the formation of carburetor ice.