Aeronca 7EC accident near Cordele, Georgia, October 16, 2014
On October 16, 2014 at about 4:30 pm local time, a 1946 Aeronca 7EC, registered N946DR, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Cordele, Georgia (Crisp County-Cordele 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
An in-flight loss of control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 16, 2014 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Cordele, Georgia · Crisp County-Cordele · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aeronca 7EC, built 1946 · all 7ECs on the register
- Registration
- N946DR · no longer on the register · serial 7AC-4835
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After a planned refueling stop, the pilot taxied to a runway intersection and began his takeoff roll. Witnesses reported that when the airplane was about 200 feet above ground level, it entered a gradual left turn, which progressed into a steep left turn. The airplane lost altitude during a 180 degree turn and then impacted the ground. An examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot's autopsy noted mild coronary atherosclerosis; however, it is unlikely that this would have resulted in preaccident incapacitation of the pilot.
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 control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 3,271.8 hours in all; 377.5 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 3,147.3 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 3, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,711.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2014; 77 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,450 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental Motors, Inc. C-90-12F (piston); 649 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CKF Cordele GA at 4:30 pm
- Destination: GA2 Williamson GA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 5,001 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,200 ft
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 4:15 pm from CKF
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
15 documents, released by the NTSB on October 19, 2015. 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 | GPS - Specialists' Factual Report | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversations | PDF, 15 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Correspondence with Witnesses | PDF, 13 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Excerpts from Pilot's Logbook | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Excerpts from Engine Logbook | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Excerpts from Aircraft Logbook | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Fuel Records | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Accident Site Diagrams | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Weather Report and Record | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 10 | Aircraft Weight & Balance, NTSB Calculations | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 11 | Fire Department Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 12 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 13 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 14 | Pilot Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 15 | Wreckage Photographs | 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.