# NTSB ATL92LA009: Champion 7ECA, N11077, Whitesburg, GA, October 17, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1991, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Whitesburg, GA
- Coordinates: 33.489147, -84.90953 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4891&lon=-84.9095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8536
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8536/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA009

## Probable cause

A SUDDEN WIND SHIFT DURING INITIAL CLIMB WHICH RESULTED IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED ENCOUNTERING A WIND SHIFT ABOUT 50 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND DURING CLIMBOUT WHICH RESULTED IN AN UNCONTROLLED COLLISION WITH TREES.  WITNESSES AT THE AIRPORT OBSERVED A SWIRLING WIND CONDITION AT THE APPROXIMATE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.  EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR SYSTEM MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11077](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N11077), registered now, S/N 91, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7ECA
- Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 91
- Airframe hours: 1600
- Engines: LYCOMING O-200-C1 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rosenthal, E.J/ Smisson, C
- Registered owner: Rosenthal, E.J/ Smisson, C
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 7, 1901, 26 hours before
- Destination: FTY, ATLANTA, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 17,000 total, 60 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATL, 20 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 19911017048169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911017048169A), Oct 17, 1991: Bbavia 7ECA, Whitesburg, GA, Substantial damage. Windshear and low turning climbout resulted in stall spin into trees. Witnesses observed whirlwind hit aircraft.

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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