Aeronca 7AC accident near Gaylord, Michigan, October 27, 2009
On October 27, 2009 at about 10:27 pm local time, a Aeronca 7AC, registered N2239E, was destroyed in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Gaylord, Michigan (Gaylord Regional airport). It was a personal 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 pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a low altitude turn resulting in an aerodynamic stall/spin and loss of control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 27, 2009 · about 10:27 pm local time
- Place
- Gaylord, Michigan · Gaylord Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aeronca 7AC · all 7ACs on the register
- Registration
- N2239E · no longer on the register · serial 7AC-5813
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Global positioning system (GPS) track data indicated that the flight proceeded in a meandering course to the northwest before turning southeast. The GPS track data depicted the airplane entering a descending right turn about 40 seconds prior to the accident. The turn continued through approximately 450 degrees – or 1-1/4 turns – until the final data point. Two off-duty state police troopers reported observing the airplane as they drove along an interstate highway. They stated that the airplane made several “abrupt” turns as low as 200 to 300 feet above the ground. At one point, the “plane’s wings were dipping slightly back and forth, as well as the tail of the plane was swaying slightly from side to side; however, the plane remained level and did not appear erratic.” The airplane completed another “very abrupt” right turn when “the nose dropped straight down and the plane rolled to the right and corkscrewed into the ground.” The airplane impacted a grassy area adjacent to the interstate. A post accident examination of the airplane did not reveal any anomalies related to a pre-impact failure. Damage to the flight control system was consistent with impact forces and emergency personnel's recovery efforts. GPS track data indicated that the average groundspeed between the final data points was approximately 44 knots. Airspeed indicator markings denoted the flaps up and flaps down power-off stall speeds as 49 knots and 42 knots, respectively. Local winds were calm to southeast at 4 knots. Digital photos taken during the flight depicted local terrain, marinas, cities and residences. The last photo was taken approximately 60 seconds prior to the accident. None of the photos appeared to depict any aircraft anomalies or pilot related issues.
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
What happened, in order
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,800 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,508 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 26, 2009; 15 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,220 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-200-A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Screamin Aviation LLC
The flight
- Departed from: GLR Gaylord MI at 9:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,900 ft
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from GLR, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.