Accident Aeronca 7AC N85243, Tuesday 25 April 1989

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Date:	Tuesday 25 April 1989
Time:	19:00 LT
Type:	Aeronca 7AC
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N85243
MSN:	3977
Total airframe hrs:	1170 hours
Engine model:	Continental A-75-8
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Marseilles, IL - United States of America
Phase:	Initial climb
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Marseilles, IL
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE ACFT TOOK OFF TO THE WEST UPHILL FROM A 2000 FOOT SOD RUNWAY. IT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AFTER THE TAIL WHEEL SNAGGED POWER LINES DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB. THE ACFT LOST AIRSPEED AND DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL INTO AN EMPTY FIELD. THE PLT REPORTED THE WIND AS CALM; HOWEVER, A FRONTAL SYSTEM WAS APPROACHING THE AREA. THE TERRAIN ROSE BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. THE POWER LINES, APRX 50 FT HIGH, RAN NORTH & SOUTH 450 FT WEST OF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE ACFT LANDED HARD IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE.

Probable Cause: PIC'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT'S CLIMB PERFORMANCE AS HE ATTEMPTED TO TAKE OFF UP HILL AND OVER WIRES.

Accident investigation: