Aeronca O-58B accident near Moscow, Pennsylvania, May 20, 1995
On May 20, 1995 at about 2:50 pm local time, a Aeronca O-58B, registered N46181, was substantially damaged in an accident near Moscow, Pennsylvania (Air Haven airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate compensation for a cross wind and his failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance. A factor is the crosswind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 20, 1995 · about 2:50 pm local time
- Place
- Moscow, Pennsylvania · Air Haven · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aeronca O-58B
- Registration
- N46181 · registry record · serial 5822
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS DEPARTING TO THE NORTH FROM A GRASS RUNWAY AND DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED RIGHT OF THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE. THE RIGHT WING STRUCK A WIND SOCK POLE AND THE AIRPLANE YAWED TO THE RIGHT AND TOWARDS TREES. WITNESSES SAW THE AIRPLANE ROLL TO THE RIGHT, UNTIL IT BECAME INVERTED AND STRUCK THE GROUND. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OF THE AIRPLANE OR ENGINE. THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, HE APPLIED AILERON AND RUDDER TO CORRECT FOR A CROSS WIND; HOWEVER, THE RIGHT WING STRUCK 'TREES.' THE PILOT ESTIMATED THE WINDS WERE FROM 270 DEGREES AT 6 TO 8 KNOTS. WINDS REPORTED AT AN AIRPORT 10 MILES WEST, WERE FROM 290 DEGREES AT 7 KNOTS.
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: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,615 hours in all; 497 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,133 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 1995
- Maximum gross weight: 1,300 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-85-8 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 6PA6 at 2:49 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 1,600 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:50 pm from AVP, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.