Aeronca 7AC accident near Roanoke, Texas, October 2, 1995
On October 2, 1995 at about 5:25 pm local time, a Aeronca 7AC, registered N85636, was substantially damaged in an accident near Roanoke, Texas (Northwest Regional airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation and encounter with a sudden windshift and tailwind. The wind gusts and turbulence were factors.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 2, 1995 · about 5:25 pm local time
- Place
- Roanoke, Texas · Northwest Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aeronca 7AC · all 7ACs on the register
- Registration
- N85636 · registry record · serial 7AC4380
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot obtained two weather briefings for the cross country flight. The second briefing was obtained approximately 4 hours prior to departure. The briefings included a convective sigmet and a severe thunderstorm watch. Lines of thunderstorms (tops to 45,000) associated with a cold front were moving into the area. At the time of the second briefing the winds in the area were from the south at 8 to 12 knots. The airplane departed runway 17. The pilot stated that 'during the takeoff ground roll, at approximately the same time that the tailwheel lifted from the runway' the windsock extended from 'limp to standing straight out due to a very strong gust.' The main wheels had not lifted off the runway, when the wind 'hit,' and 'picked the airplane up like a helicopter or a kite.' The airplane crashed after lift-off. Peak surface wind shifts from southwest through northeast near the time of departure reached 70 degrees with gusts to 33 knots. Witnesses reported winds at the departure airport shifted from the south to the north with gusts to 35 knots. Pilot reports included moderate to severe turbulence below 8,000 MSL.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 747 hours in all; 36 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,975 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 8, 1995; 83 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-85-12F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 52F at 6:25 pm
- Destination: SWI Sherman TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 3,500 ft by 40 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 25 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,300 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:32 pm from AFW, 7 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.