Aeronca 7EC | N4337C
October 7th, 2024 | Eagle Mountain, Texas
Accident Location
- City: Eagle Mountain
- State: Texas
- Latitude: 32.960077
- Longitude: -97.504745
- Airport ID:
Aircraft Info
- N Number: N4337C
- Make: Aeronca
- Model: 7EC
- Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Land
- Amateur Built: No
Pilot Info
- PIC Name: Spence, Steve
- Gender: Male
- Pilot Age: 60
- Pilot Hours:
- Flight School: No
- Instructional Flight: No
- Pilot Certification: Private Pilot
- IFR Rating: No
- Pilot Error: Yes
- Pilot Medical: 3rd Class Medical
- Pilot Incapacitation: Yes
Analysis
- Date: October 7th, 2024
- Time: 12:40 PM Local Time
- Day / Night: Day
- VMC / IMC: VMC
- Phase Of Flight: Maneuvering
- Total People Onboard: 1
- PIC Fatality: 1
- PAX Fatalities: 0
- Ground Fatalities: 0
- Total Fatalities: 1
- NTSB No: CEN25FA005
- NTSB Travel: Unknown
- AQP Classification: 10a) MEDICAL INCAPACITATION, C-FIT
Probable Cause
DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot medical incapacitation, as this pilot had not held a medical certification since 2008, and had been operating and flying illegally since this about time from Flying Oaks airport in Ft. Worth, Texas. The flight path video of this accident shows a steep nose down, wings level impact into the lake surface with no visual attempt to recover. Pilot suicide has been informally ruled out due to reports from friends and family. The illegal aircraft operation had had been based at Flying Oaks airport, which is owned and managed by Charles Cook, who was directly involved with another double fatal accident, where the aircraft pilot had been encouraged to operate illegally at 254 pounds over max gross takeoff weight of 1220 pounds. Currently, Charles Cook also does not possess a medical certificate of any type. See FAA airman registration notes for Charles Nicholas Cook: “No Medical Information Available” This accident is onsidered to be Pilot Error in that the pilot was was well aware of his illegal status, and his propensity to in flight incapacitation, and yet still elected to operate aircraft from this field.
NTSB: NONE
Recommendation
DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilot of all aircraft refrain from operating aircraft without a medical clearance, and that those known to do so be reported for illegal activity.
NTSB: NONE
DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.