NTSB Factual Report

On June 13, 2004, about 1905 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 1AC, N85970, registered to and operated by a private individual as a title 14 CFR part 91 personal flight crashed on a peanut farm near Williston, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot received serious injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to a law enforcement officer with the Levy County Sheriff's Office, a witness who was feeding horses at the time, stated that he saw the airplane performing touch-and-go landings to an open field. After touching down, the witness said that he saw the airplane take off again, and he observed it turning sharply after takeoff, while still at a low altitude. He said he then saw the nose lower, and the airplane descend out of sight, and then he heard the sound of an impact. The witness further stated that throughout the flight the engine sounded as if it was operating normally. In addition to the first witness, another witness said he observed the airplane touching down and taking off, and further observed it in a turn before hearing it impact the ground.

According to a Levy County Sheriff's Deputy, the pilot had received serious injuries and had been evacuated to the hospital. On September 28, 2004, the pilot provided a report to the NTSB, and specified that after the accident, he awakened 3 days later in the hospital, and could not remember anything about the accident. Examination of FAA records revealed that the pilot's last medical examination had been on February 1, 2000.

On August 20, 2004, an FAA inspector examined the accident airplane, and no anomalies were found with the airframe, flight controls or the engine and accessories.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed (Vso) while maneuvering, which resulted in a stall/mush, an uncontrolled descent, and impact with terrain.