# Accident 20240721013139A: Champion 7ECA, Beaufort, NC, July 21, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 21, 2024, 20:49 local time
- Place: Beaufort, NC
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 34.7813° N, 76.6662° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7813&lon=-76.6662&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9581S, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9581S) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Champion 7ECA (registry code 21101NN, https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7ECA
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 9,700 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA24LA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA311) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240721013139A

## Narrative

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

AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT: @0045Z RDU WAS ADVISED THAT AN AIRCRAFT WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AT THE INTERSECTION OF 1711 NC-101 AND MERRELL FARM RD, BEAUFORT NC. BY THE NORTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY PATROL.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND UPSIDE DOWN IN THE GRASS, CLOSE TO THE EDGE OF HIGHWAY 101 AND THE ROAD HAD BEEN CLOSED OFF UNTIL THE AIRCRAFT COULD BE MOVED. THERE WERE 2 PERSONS ABORD AND BOTH SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE PILOT WAS TRANSPORTED TO ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ AND THE PASSENGER WAS TRANSPORTED BY AIR TO ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

## 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 ERA24LA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA311), Jul 21, 2024: Champion 7ECA (N9581S), Beaufort, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning and preflight inspection, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, and a forced landing.

## Other reports on N9581S (1)

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

- [Incident 19990423004039I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990423004039I), Apr 23, 1999: Bbavia 7GCAA (N9581S), Hollywood, FL, Minor damage. PIC was instructing a passenger, Mr. Robert craig, who holds no pilot certificate or student pilot medical certificate. While performing touch-and-go landings,…

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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