Adopted June 16, 1944

File No. 5089-43

REPORT OF THE CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD

on the

Investigation of an accident Involving Aircraft During a Local Practice Flight

Francis Aloysius Reddy was seriously injured in an accident which occurred approximately 8 miles northwest of Martins Ferry, Ohio, about 1 40 p.m. on November 28, 1943. Reddy held a student pilot certificate and had flown approximately 60 solo hours. He had not been certified for cross-country solo flights. The aircraft, an Aeronca C-3, NC 14111 (expired), owned by John Mihok, was destroyed by impact and fire.

Pilot Reddy took off from Glendale airport, Glendale, West Virginia, about 12 40 p.m. for a local practice flight, Approximately 50 minutes later he was observed some 20 miles north of the airport, circling the home of a friend at en altitude estimated to have been from 50 to 100 feet. During a steeply-banked turn directly over the house, he stalled the aircraft end it crashed through the roof of his friend’s hone, bursting into flames upon impact. The pilot was rescued but the plane and residence were destroyed by fire.

The airplane was so completely demolished that an examination of the wreckage revealed nothing of value. Reddy had established a reputation for recklessness and had reportedly been reprimanded on several occasions.

The probable cause of this accident yes the recklessness of the pilot and his disregard for the lives and property of others in flying dangerously by over the home of a friend.

BY THE BOARD

/s/ Fred, A. Toombs

Secretary