Aeronca 7AC accident near Hanson, Massachusetts, August 24, 2018
On August 24, 2018 at about 7:35 pm local time, a 1946 Aeronca 7AC, registered N65HM, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Hanson, Massachusetts (Cranland 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
A loss of engine power due to carburetor icing, the pilot's decision to turn back to the runway shortly after takeoff, and his failure to maintain airspeed during the turn, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, and subsequent aerodynamic stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 24, 2018 · about 7:35 pm local time
- Place
- Hanson, Massachusetts · Cranland · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aeronca 7AC No Series, built 1946 · all 7ACs on the register
- Registration
- N65HM · no longer on the register · serial 7AC-3708
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot and passenger were departing on a local personal flight in the single-engine airplane. Review of airport security video showed the airplane level off about 100 ft above ground level as it passed the departure end of the runway. The airplane then entered a left turn and descended to ground contact. Damage to the propeller blades was consistent with a lack of engine power at the time of impact; however, examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have prevented normal engine operation. Based on the temperature and dew point about the time of the accident, the conditions were favorable for serious carburetor icing at a glide power setting. Video showed that the airplane operated on the ground at an idle engine power setting for about 7 minutes before takeoff, and it is probable that carburetor ice formed during this time, subsequently resulting in the loss of engine power during the initial climb. Following the loss of power, the pilot attempted to turn back to the runway with insufficient altitude and, during the turn, failed to maintain airspeed, resulting in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, an aerodynamic stall/spin, and impact with terrain.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during standing
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to carburetor icing › Effect on operation
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to carburetor icing › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 195 hours in all; 4 in this make and model; 4.5 in the last 90 days; 4.5 in the last 30 days; 116 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 19, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,631.4 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 2017; 110 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental Motors Inc. C90-12F (piston); 1,521 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 28M Hanson MA at 7:35 pm
- Destination: 28M Hanson MA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 1,760 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 7:52 pm from PYM, 8 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
12 documents, released by the NTSB on March 17, 2020. 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 | Witness Interview Summaries | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Logbook | PDF, 24 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Maintenance Log Excerpts | PDF, 15 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Engine Operating Instructions | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Weather Observations | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Carburetor Icing Probability Chart | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Cranland Airport (28M) and Surrounding Area | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Pilot Toxicological Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 10 | Carburetor Icing Potential Testing Information | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 11 | FAA Saib - Carburetor Icing Prevention | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 12 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N65HM the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.