Aeronca 7BCM L-16A accident near Gadsden, Alabama, July 9, 1983
On July 9, 1983 at about 7:36 pm local time, a Aeronca 7BCM L-16A, registered N2557B, was destroyed in an accident near Gadsden, Alabama (Gadsden airport). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 9, 1983 · about 7:36 pm local time
- Place
- Gadsden, Alabama · Gadsden · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aeronca 7BCM L-16A · all 7BCM L-16As on the register
- Registration
- N2557B · no longer on the register · serial MIL 47-1273
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A 70 DEGREE DIVE WHILE TAKING PART IN AN AIR SHOW AS A SPOTTER PLANE. THE ACFT HAD DROPPED ONE SMOKE GRENDADE AND WAS ORBITING TO DROP ANOTHER WHEN IT TURNED LEFT AND PITCHED DOWN. ACCORDING TO AN INSPECTION GUIDE FOR THIS ACFT, BOOTS ARE REQUIRED AROUND THE FRONT AND REAR CONTROL STICKS AT THE CABIN FLOOR. WITNESSES STATED THAT BOOTS WERE NEVER INSTALLED IN THIS ACFT. ANOTHER WITNESS SAID HE HELPED THE ACFT OWNER REMOVE BAGGAGE, TOOLS AND SUPPLIES FROM THE ACFT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. ONE BAG OF TOOLS WAS LEFT UNDER THE FRONT SEAT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT TOOLS AND A METAL BOX CONTAINING A 1/4 INCH DRIVE SOCKET SET WERE FOUND AROUND THE FRONT CONTROL STICK YOKE. THE PILOTS BODY WAS IN THE FRONT SEAT WITH BOTH HANDS ON THE CONTROL STICK.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,501 hours in all; 144 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 2, 1983
- Maximum gross weight: 1,220 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Teledyne Cont C-85-8 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: scat
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:43 pm from GAD, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.