Aeronca 7BCM accident near Longmont, Colorado, July 16, 2016
On July 16, 2016 at about 4:20 pm local time, a 1946 Aeronca 7BCM, registered N2576E, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Longmont, Colorado (Vance Brand airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's decision to continue the takeoff after observing a partial loss of engine power, the reason for which could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 16, 2016 · about 4:20 pm local time
- Place
- Longmont, Colorado · Vance Brand · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aeronca 7BCM NO SERIES, built 1946 · all 7BCMs on the register
- Registration
- N2576E · registry record · serial 7AC-6159
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot was taking off in the light sport aircraft for a local personal flight. The pilot reported that, while attempting to take off from the 4,799-ft-long runway, he noticed a lower-than-normal engine rpm and that the takeoff roll was significantly longer. Despite the extended takeoff roll and low engine rpm, the pilot chose to continue the takeoff. The airplane lifted off and slowly climbed to about 200 ft above ground level. Due to concerns about rising terrain, the pilot chose to make a forced landing, during which the airplane hit power lines. The airplane then skipped across a road and nosed over. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures. Carburetor icing was likely not a factor given the environmental conditions at the time of the accident and the pilot's report of a short taxi time.
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
- Loss of engine power (partial) during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface › (general) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine
- Flight time: 792 hours in all; 107 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 792 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 2, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,763 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 16, 2015; 4 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,220 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C85-12FT (piston); 3,763 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LMO Longmont CO at 4:20 pm
- Destination: LMO Longmont CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29, 4,799 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 4:34 pm from KLMO
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on October 13, 2016. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Examination of Airplane | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Carburetor Icing - FAA Saib | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.