# NTSB ATL85LA134: Champion 7GCAA, N2580F, Casville Juct, NC, April 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 14, 1985, 20:38 local (Apr 15, 1985, 01:38 UTC)
- Place: Casville Juct, NC
- Coordinates: 36.449405, -79.549125 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4494&lon=-79.5491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6775
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6775/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA134

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE ON A PERSONAL X-COUNTRY FLT, THE ACFT LOST POWER & THE PLT ATTEMPTED A LANDING ON A ROAD. DURING THE ATTEMPTED LANDING, THE ACFT STRUCK A GUY WIRE & CRASHED INVERTED ON THE ROAD. A POST CRASH EXAM REVEALED THAT APRX 1.5 PINTS OF FUEL WAS IN THE ACFT FUEL SYSTEM. ALTHOUGH THE ACFT WAS INVERTED, THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKAGE OR SPILLAGE. THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD FLOWN THE SAME ROUTE 5 TIMES IN THE PAST WITHOUT INCIDENT. TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACDNT, THE PLT SERVICED THE ACFT TO ITS FULL CAPACITY OF 40 GALS. HE DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL QUANTITY PRIOR TO DEPARTING STONE MOUNTAIN, GA. THE PLT FELT THAT HE WAS 'TOO LAX' BECAUSE HE DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL QUANTITY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2580F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7GCAA
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22
- Airframe hours: 2300
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kenneth C. Lineback
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, August 27, 1984, 84 hours before
- Departed: 00A, STONE MOUNTAIN, GA
- Destination: DAN, DANVILLE, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,500 total, 600 in this make and model, 1,700 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 30° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAN, 6 nm away

## 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 19850414014309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850414014309A), Apr 14, 1985: Bbavia 7GCAA, Casville Juncti, NC, Substantial damage. Pilot did not visually check fuel before deparature. Struck wire during emergency landing due to fuel exhaustion.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.