Aeronca 7BCM accident near Manila, Utah, January 2, 1994
On January 2, 1994 at about 10:00 pm local time, a Aeronca 7BCM, registered N4244A, was substantially damaged in an accident near Manila, Utah. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE. FACTORS INCLUDE A TAILWIND, GUSTS, AND A TREE JUST OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE FIELD USED FOR TAKEOFF.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 2, 1994 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Manila, Utah · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aeronca 7BCM · all 7BCMs on the register
- Registration
- N4244A · registry record · serial 7BCM-48
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF FROM AN 800 FOOT LONG OPEN FIELD WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED A GUSTING QUARTERING TAILWIND. THE AIRCRAFT LOST AIRSPEED, AND ITS RATE OF CLIMB DECREASED JUST AFTER LIFT OFF. THIS RESULTED IN THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTING A TREE THAT WAS JUST OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE FIELD.
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
- Flight time: 876 hours in all; 625 in this make and model; 824 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 724 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection; 113 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,250 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-90-12 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: RKS Rock Springs WY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 25°F (-4°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.