Aeronca 7DC-CONV accident near Fort Mill, South Carolina, May 5, 2023
On May 5, 2023 at about 11:45 am local time, a 1946 Aeronca 7DC-CONV, registered N3058E, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (descent) near Fort Mill, South Carolina. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat before initiating a descent in conditions conducive to the development of carburetor icing, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power due to carburetor ice.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 5, 2023 · about 11:45 am local time · cases in 2023
- Place
- Fort Mill, South Carolina · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aeronca 7DC-CONV, built 1946 · all 7DC-CONVs on the register
- Registration
- N3058E · registry record · serial 7AC-6647
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and passenger departed and climbed the airplane to about 2,000 ft mean sea level. Due to traffic at the intended destination, the pilot chose to instead descend and follow a river toward another airport. Upon reaching his desired altitude over the river, the pilot leveled the airplane and applied engine power, but reported that there was “no thrust.” He adjusted the throttle, the mixture, applied carburetor heat, and cycled the magnetos without a change in engine speed. The engine continued to run at 1,000 rpm. The pilot completed a forced landing to the river, where the airplane touched down in shallow water, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane at the site revealed substantial damage but no preimpact anomalies that would prevent normal operation. After recovery, the engine and its accessories were dried, the impact-damaged propeller was replaced, and fuel was plumbed directly to the carburetor due to an impact-damaged fuel line. The engine started and ran smoothly and continuously at various power settings until the test run was discontinued. Review of weather information in the area of the accident site revealed conditions conducive to the development of carburetor icing at glide and cruise power. In both his interview and his written statement, the pilot stated that he applied carburetor heat only after detecting the loss of engine power. Based on the available information, it is likely that the engine developed carburetor icing during the pilot’s descent toward the river, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.
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
- Fuel related during enroute (descent) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › Conducive to carburetor icing › Effect on equipment
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Ice/rain protection system › Intake anti › ice, deice › Incorrect use/operation other cases naming the heating, ice protection and utility systems
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 124 hours in all; 14 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 79 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,815.3 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 13, 2022
- Maximum gross weight: 1,300 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C85-12 (piston); 2,486 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KEQY Monroe NC at 11:25 am
- Destination: KUZA Rock Hill SC
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observation at 7:54 am from KUZA, 10 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KUZA 051154Z AUTO 04003KT 10SM CLR 11/08 A3017 RMK AO2 SLP212 T01110078 10111 20067 53025
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 1 picture from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on October 3, 2024. 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record A�� Telephone Interview, Pilot (FAA) | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Report from A&p Mechanic | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Saib CE-09-35 | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Photo of Accident Site | PDF, 1 page · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N3058E on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Aeronca 7 Champion (Champ) 2,355 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Aeronca 3,953 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Continental C85-12 82 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Charlotte/Monroe Executive · departed from
- Rock Hill/York County/Bryant Field · bound for
- Accidents and incidents in South Carolina 1,036 since 1982 · 173 in the last ten years
- South Carolina 3,112 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/ERA23LA221.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.