Aeronca 7AC accident near Caro, Michigan, August 3, 2002
On August 3, 2002 at about 2:00 pm local time, a Aeronca 7AC, registered N84546, was substantially damaged in an accident near Caro, Michigan (Tuscola Area Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The passenger became incapacitated as a result of a stroke which lead to the inadvertent interference with the flight controls.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 3, 2002 · about 2:00 pm local time
- Place
- Caro, Michigan · Tuscola Area Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aeronca 7AC · all 7ACs on the register
- Registration
- N84546 · no longer on the register · serial 7AC-3242
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane impacted the terrain following a loss of control during initial takeoff climb from runway 05. The airplane came to rest approximately 2,000 feet down the runway and 150 feet to the north of the runway. Witnesses reported hearing the airplane's engine power increase for the takeoff. One witness reported the airplane reached an altitude of about 75 feet above the runway prior to it veering to the left and impacting the terrain. Another witness reported that the engine sounded normal until it stopped immediately upon impact. Post accident inspection of the airframe and engine failed to reveal any failures and/malfunctions which would have resulted in the loss of control. The pilot survived, but was unable to recall the events of the accident. The 85 year old passenger who held a private pilot certificate without a current medical was fatally injured. The passenger had been living in a nursing home after having had a series of strokes. The airport manager stated that on occasion, the pilot would take the passenger from the nursing home and bring him out to the airport. Since the passenger was no longer able to fly, the pilot would take him for an airplane ride around the local area. The airport manager reported the passenger was confused when he saw him at the airport prior to the flight. The autopsy report for the passenger stated "hypertensive arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease complicated by acute cerebral infarct (stroke) was contributory" to the passengers death.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,603 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 681 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 2001; 7 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,220 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A-65 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 78D Caro MI at 2:00 pm
- Destination: 78D
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 05, 3,965 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from MBS, 24 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.