# NTSB ANC93LA001: Champion 7EC, N4392C, Eureka, AK, October 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1992, 16:30 local (Oct 2, 1992, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Eureka, AK
- Coordinates: 64.809226, -147.720764 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8092&lon=-147.7208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5841
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5841/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA001

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN COMMAND'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION WHICH RESULTED IN A POWER LOSS DUE TO ICE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system - ice (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

A FERRY PILOT AND THE PURCHASER OF THE AIRPLANE ARRIVED TO ACCEPT IT FROM THE SELLER AND FOUND THE ENGINE ALREADY RUNNING. THE AIRCRAFT HAD SAT OUTDOORS WITH EMPTY FUEL TANKS FOR 3 MOS. THE ENGINE REPORTEDLY BACKFIRED SEVERAL TIMES, AND QUIT ONCE, DURING RUNUP. THERE WAS REPORTEDLY NO INSPECTION TO DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF ENGINE ROUGHNESS. THE SELLER REPORTEDLY TOLD THE BUYER THAT THE ENGINE IS TYPICALLY 'COLD STARTING.' THE FERRY PILOT THEN TOOK OFF AND EXPERIENCED AN ABRUPT POWER LOSS AT 150 FT, AND THE AIRPLANE CRASHED DURING THE FORCED LANDING. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE AT THE TIME OF TAKEOFF WAS 'RIGHT AT FREEZING.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4392C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4392C), registered now, S/N 7EC-421, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7EC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7EC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ec) (registry code 2110120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421
- Airframe hours: 1232
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard Gray
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 1992, 1 hours before
- Destination: MLY, MANLEY HOT SPGS, AK
- Airport: Private Strip, runway 36, 700 × 25 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,454 total, 1 in this make and model, 1,399 as pilot in command, 87 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 5 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19921001039929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921001039929A), Oct 1, 1992: Bbavia 7EC, Eureka, AK, Substantial damage. Reported powerloss on climbout. No anomalies. Believed water in fuel.

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.

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