# Accident 19970604018479A: Bbavia 7ECA, Gregory, MI, June 4, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 4, 1997, 12:45 local time
- Place: Gregory, MI
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: To Init Climb(1st Pwr Reduct)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 42.4492° N, 84.0804° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4492&lon=-84.0804&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5253X, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5253X-1998-01-22) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Champion 7ECA (registry code 21101NN, https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BBAVIA 7ECA
- Reported engine: LYC O235C1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 20,900 total, 92 in this make and model, 160 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI97LA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA156) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970604018479A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(.4)AFTER CHECKING THE WINDSOCKS AT EACH END OF THE RUNWAY, THE PILOT SELECTED RUNWAY 20 FOR DEPARTURE. DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO DESCEND, AND IT IMPACTED TREES. ABOUT FIVE MINUTES AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND 22 NAUTICAL MILES SOUTHWEST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE, A WEATHER REPORTING STATION RECORDED THE WIND TO BE 030 DEGREES AT 7 KNOTS. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH THE AIRPLANE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, INSPECTIONS OF THE AIRPLANE AND ENGINE FAILED TO REVEAL ANY PREEXISTING ANOMALIES.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI97LA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA156), Jun 4, 1997: Champion 7ECA (N5253X), Gregory, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper planning/decision. The tailwind and location of trees were related factors.

## Other reports on N5253X (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19861127079029I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861127079029I), Nov 27, 1986: Bbavia 7ECA (N5253X), Novi, MI. Engine lost power on takeoff. Pilot safely landed aircraft. Mixture control cable found loose.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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