NTSB Factual Report

On August 10, 2007, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Aeronca 7AC airplane, N82192, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control, and subsequent collision with trees, while maneuvering about 2 miles northeast of Big Lake, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The solo student pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Palmer Airport, Palmer, Alaska about 1600, and was en route to the Willow Airport, Willow, Alaska.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on August 12, the student pilot reported that that while en route to his destination airport, he elected to fly over a lake to view some property. He said that as he made a right, downwind turn, the right wing stalled, and the airplane descended nose first. He reported that he was able to level the wings just before the airplane's right wing struck a large tree, which pivoted the airplane to the right. The airplane descended vertically and came to rest in the lake, about 30 feet from the shoreline. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed to avoid an inadvertent stall while maneuvering.