Aeronca CH-7A accident near Cumberland, Maryland, March 27, 2003
On March 27, 2003 at about 9:10 pm local time, a Aeronca CH-7A, registered N83519, was substantially damaged in an accident near Cumberland, Maryland (Mexico Farms airport). It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot/mechanic's failure to ensure the proper installation of the left wing's aft strut-to-spar attachment bolt, which resulted in a loss of control and a subsequent impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 27, 2003 · about 9:10 pm local time
- Place
- Cumberland, Maryland · Mexico Farms · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aeronca CH-7A
- Registration
- N83519 · no longer on the register · serial 7AC-2190
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Shortly after takeoff, about 400 feet above the ground, the airplane made a 180-degree right turn, then a descending left turn, and impacted the ground in a steep, left-wing-low attitude. Subsequent examination revealed no evidence that the left wing's aft strut-to-spar attachment bolt was present at the time of impact, nor could the bolt be located in the wreckage or at the accident site. The accident flight was the first flight after the pilot/mechanic had completely rebuilt the airplane.
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; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 5,670 hours in all; 4,000 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: March 17, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,870 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 14, 2002; 3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,240 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental 3860468 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1W3 Cumberland MD at 9:25 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 09, 2,120 ft by 190 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 14 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 8:42 pm from CBE, 3 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.