# NTSB ATL97LA138: Champion 7ECA, N1817G, Fairview, NC, September 21, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 21, 1997, 16:07 local (20:07 UTC) - Place: Fairview, NC - Coordinates: 36.159694, -81.14093 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1597&lon=-81.1409&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 June 26, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3904 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3904/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA138 ## Probable cause fuel contamination, and the pilot's inadequate preflight of the airplane. A factor relating to the accident was: an inability to attain a proper touchdown point, which led to the runway overrun. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - Overrun, emergency landing after takeoff - proper touchdown point - not attained (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - residence ## Analysis The pilot stated that he stopped to refuel after 2.5 hours of banner towing operations. After refueling, he departed and climbed to 250 feet above ground level (AGL), where the engine lost power. The pilot returned to the airport for an emergency landing. The airplane landed with insufficient runway to stop. It overran the runway and struck a building. An FAA inspector stated that the pilot had refueled from a 55 gallon drum and immediately taken fuel samples. An FAA inspector took fuel samples from the gascolator and carburetor, and found that both areas contained large amounts of water. ## Factual narrative On September 21, 1997, about 1607 eastern daylight time, a Champion 7ECA, N1817G, crashed during landing when the aircraft overran the runway and struck a house at the Spurgeon Rowell Airport, in Fairview, North Carolina. The airplane was operated by the commercial pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for this local flight. The pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated he stopped to refuel after 2.5 hours of banner towing operations. After refueling, he departed and climbed to 250 feet above ground level (AGL) where the engine lost power. The pilot returned to the airport for an emergency landing. The airplane landed with insufficient runway to stop. It overran the runway and struck a building. The FAA inspector stated that the pilot had refueled from a 55 gallon drum and immediately taken fuel samples. Just after takeoff the engine started running rough and sputtering, so he returned to the airport. The FAA inspector took fuel samples from the gascolator and carburetor and found both areas contained large amounts of water. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1817G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1817G), registered now, S/N 409, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7ECA - Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 409 - Airframe hours: 3000 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Charles E. Jacelon - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 1, 1997, 37 hours before - Airport: Spurgeon Rowell, runway 36, 2,000 × 10 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 7,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 6,900 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 10 knots, gusting 12 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F ## 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 19970921027639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970921027639A), Sep 21, 1997: Bbavia 7ECA, Spurgeon Rowell, NC, Substantial damage. Engine missing on climbout. Reversed course. Landed downwind long. Ran off end runway. S truck a residence. (.4)the pilot stated that he stopped to refuel… ## Other investigations on N1817G (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW69F0092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW69F0092), Aug 10, 1968: Champion 7ECA (N1817G), Lubbock, TX, substantial damage 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.