# NTSB ATL85LA094: Champion 7FC, N7507E, Louisville, KY, February 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 9, 1985, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Louisville, KY
- Coordinates: 38.14096, -85.690155 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1410&lon=-85.6902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6744
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6744/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA094

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - icy (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - fatigue (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT DEPARTED FROM A SNOW COVERED RWY & PROCEEDED ON A SOLO X-COUNTRY. WHEN HE RETURNED, THE NOSEWHEEL BROKE THRU THE SNOW CRUSTED SURFACE & COLLAPSED, THEN THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE PLT SAID THERE WERE RUTS ON THE RWY FROM OTHER ACFT WHICH CAUSED HIS PLANE TO SWERVE LEFT. THE NOSE STRUT, PN 3-1055, FAILED ABOVE THE NOSEWHEEL IN THE AREA OF THE OLEO EXTENSION. PART OF THE FRACTURE AREA WAS RUSTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7507E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7507E), registered now, S/N 7FC-227, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7FC
- Registry model: [Champion 7FC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7fc) (registry code 21101NX) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7FC-227
- Airframe hours: 2542
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul L. Fowler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 2, 1984, 47 hours before
- Departed: FRH, FRENCH LICK, IN
- Airport: KY07, Bluelick, runway 11, 2,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 50 total, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LOU

## 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 19850209002589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850209002589A), Feb 9, 1985: Bbavia 7FC, Louisville, KY, Substantial damage. Student returned to rutted, snow covered sod runway. Veered after touchdown. Nose gear collapsed. Fatigue fracture.

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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