Non-Certificated Pilot Stated That He Departed From A Local Airport To Drop Candy For Family Members

Location: Estherwood, Louisiana Accident Number: CEN25LA161
Date & Time: April 19, 2025, 15:00 Local Registration: N83871
Aircraft: Champion Aeronca 7AC Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis: The non-certificated pilot stated that he departed from a local airport to drop candy for family members on his private airstrip. As he approached the airstrip, he descended to 200 ft agl and then descended further to drop the candy. The pilot said he got distracted as he looked over his left shoulder during the attempted candy drop, and the airplane impacted  the terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar. The pilot stated there was no mechanical malfunction/failure of the airplane that would have precluded normal airplane operation.

Probable Cause and Findings: The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be  -- The non-certificated pilot’s failure to maintain altitude while maneuvering at low altitude that resulted in a descent and impact into terrain.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov