# NTSB ATL93LA029: Champion 7AC, N1115E, Troy, TN, November 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1992, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Troy, TN
- Coordinates: 36.330757, -89.160614 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3308&lon=-89.1606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8706
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8706/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA029

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING, HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN A PROPER CLIMB RATE, AND THE INADVERTENT STALLING OF THE AIRCRAFT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO AVOID HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS (TREES). FACTORS WERE THE ROUGH, UNEVEN RUNWAY CONDITIONS, THE HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS, AND THE TAIL WIND CONDITIONS AT THE FIELD.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS TAKING OFF FROM AN UNPREPARED, GRASS FARM FIELD. TAILWIND CONDITIONS PREVAILED IN THE DIRECTION OF TAKEOFF. ON THE INITIAL CLIMB, HE REALIZED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT CLEAR A ROW OF TREES AT THE SOUTH END OF THE FIELD. HE INITIATED A LEFT TURN TO AVOID THE TREES, AND THE AIRCRAFT STALLED. THE AIRCRAFT THEN COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. AN INSPECTION OF THE TAKEOFF SURFACE REVEALED AREAS OF ROUGH, UNEVEN TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1115E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1115E), registered now, S/N 7AC-4670, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7AC
- Registry model: [Champion 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ac) (registry code 21101MA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC-4670
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dugger, Robert S.
- Registered owner: Dugger, Robert S.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 14, 1992
- Destination: NONE, UNION CITY, TN
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 600 total, 300 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DYR, 24 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 19921126047879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921126047879A), Nov 26, 1992: Bbavia 7AC, Troy, TN, Substantial damage. Tailwind takeoff from farm field. Noted unable clear trees. Stalled avoiding same. Rough uneven surface.

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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