Aeronca 7AC accident near Marseilles, Illinois, April 25, 1989
On April 25, 1989 at about 11:00 pm local time, a Aeronca 7AC, registered N85243, was substantially damaged in an accident near Marseilles, Illinois. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
PIC'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT'S CLIMB PERFORMANCE AS HE ATTEMPTED TO TAKE OFF UP HILL AND OVER WIRES.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 25, 1989 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Marseilles, Illinois · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aeronca 7AC · all 7ACs on the register
- Registration
- N85243 · registry record · serial 3977
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ACFT TOOK OFF TO THE WEST UPHILL FROM A 2000 FOOT SOD RUNWAY. IT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AFTER THE TAIL WHEEL SNAGGED POWER LINES DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB. THE ACFT LOST AIRSPEED AND DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL INTO AN EMPTY FIELD. THE PLT REPORTED THE WIND AS CALM; HOWEVER, A FRONTAL SYSTEM WAS APPROACHING THE AREA. THE TERRAIN ROSE BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. THE POWER LINES, APRX 50 FT HIGH, RAN NORTH & SOUTH 450 FT WEST OF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE ACFT LANDED HARD IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE.
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
- Flight time: 580 hours in all; 137 in this make and model; 45 in the last 90 days; 19 in the last 30 days; 510 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,170 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 1, 1988; 30 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,220 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental A-75-8 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Marseilles IL at 11:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 2,000 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 070° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:50 pm from ARR, 22 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 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.