Investigator In Charge (IIC): Nixon, Albert
The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Seattle, Washington
https://registry.faa.gov/N2588C
Location: Lake McMurray, Washington
Accident Number: WPR22FA255
Date and Time: July 16, 2022, 07:30 Local
Registration: N2588C
Aircraft: Aeronca 7BCM
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
On July 16, 2022, about 0730 Pacific daylight time, an Aeronca 7BCM airplane, N2588C, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Lake McMurray, Washington. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.
A concerned family member reported the airplane overdue, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an Alert Notice (ALNOT). Reportedly, the airplane departed from the vicinity of the Arlington Municipal Airport (AWO), Arlington, Washington, on a cross-country flight to Mears Field Airport (3W5), Concrete, Washington. A search for the airplane was initiated and the airplane wreckage was located later that day in heavily forested terrain about 27 miles southwest of 3W5. The elevation at the wreckage location was about 950 ft mean sea level (msl).
Examination of the wreckage site revealed that a number of trees had been topped in the area where the airplane came to rest. A postimpact fire consumed most the airplane wreckage. The debris path was orientated on northern heading and was about 120 ft in length. All major structural components were observed with the main wreckage.
An AIRMET was active for IMC/Mountain obscuration in the area during the timeframe of the accident.
Additionally, PIREPS in the area indicated cloud ceilings as low as 900 ft mean sea level.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Aeronca
Registration: N2588C
Model/Series: 7BCM
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site:
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation: KAWO,137 ft msl
Observation Time: 07:56 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 10 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C /14°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 5 knots / , 320°
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 1300 ft AGL
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.1 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point:
Destination:
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: On-ground
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 48.309167,-122.25555 (est)
Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances.
Date: 17-JUL-22
Time: 05:58:00Z
Regis#: N2588C
Aircraft Make: AERONCA
Aircraft Model: 7BCM
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: FATAL
Total Fatal: 1
Flight Crew: 1 fatal
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: DESTROYED
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: UNKNOWN (UNK)
Operation: 91
City: MCMURRAY
State: WASHINGTON
