National Transportation Safety Board

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report

Location: Jacksboro, TN Accident Number: ERA22FA391

Date & Time: August 29, 2022, 12:50 Local Registration: N1478E
Aircraft: Aeronca 7AC Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted
Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Under:

On August 29, 2022, about 1250 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 7AC airplane, N1478E, was
substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Jacksboro, Tennessee. The
private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal
Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to a friend of the pilot, he purchased the airplane the day prior to the accident. She
said this was the pilot’s first flight in 20 years, and he just wanted to “take it up for a flight.”
She recalled that the airplane took off from the runway “real early.” After takeoff, the airplane
made a “sharp” turn to the left and descended below the tree line. She then contacted the local
authorities and waited for them to arrive.

The airplane came to rest nose down in a field adjacent to the airport runway. It was orientated
on a magnetic heading of 23°. All primary flight control surfaces remained attached to the
airplane. Flight control continuity was established to all primary flight control surfaces. The
nose of the airplane was crushed aft to the cockpit. The engine and avionics instruments were
destroyed by impact. Examination of the fuselage revealed the wings remained attached to the
fuselage and were impact damaged. Both wings displayed accordion crush damage along their
leading edges. The empennage was bent over the fuselage and remained partially attached. The
horizontal and vertical control surfaces remained attached to the empennage.

The wreckage was recovered and retained for further examination.

Page 1 of 2 ERA22FA391
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.
 Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Aeronca Registration: N1478E

Model/Series: 7AC Aircraft Category: Airplane

Amateur Built:
Operator: Operating Certificate(s) None
Held:
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: VMC Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: JAU,1180 ft msl Observation Time: 12:55 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C /22°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 2900 ft AGL Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: /,
Lowest Ceiling: None Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.16 inches Hg Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Jacksboro, TN Destination: Jacksboro, TN

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal Latitude, 36.335478,-84.159532 (est)
Longitude:

Administrative Information
Investigator In Charge (IIC): Alleyne, Eric
Additional Participating Persons: David Alderman; FAA/FSDO; Nashville, TN
Note: The NTSB traveled to the scene of this accident.

Page 2 of 2 ERA22FA391
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.