# NTSB BFO86FIG03: Champion 7FC, N9853Y, Baltimore, MD, August 31, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1986, 18:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Baltimore, MD
- Coordinates: 39.300559, -76.440811 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3006&lon=-76.4408&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): 11232
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO86FIG03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11232/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86FIG03

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO TOUCH DOWN HARD ON THE SOD RWY, BOUNCE INTO THE AIR, AND COME BACK DOWN ON THE LEFT MAIN AND NOSE WHEEL. THE NOSE WHEEL FORK BROKE AND THE NOSE WHEEL DEPARTED THE ACFT. THE ACFT CONTINUED TO SLIDE FOR APRX 24 FT AFTER WHICH TIME IT NOSED OVER ONTO ITS BACK. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACCIDENT MAY HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY USING A HIGHER APCH SPEED AND BY NOT DRAGGING THE BRAKES UPON TOUCHDOWN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - brakes(normal) - excessive, pilot in command
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9853Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9853Y-2009-09-18), registration cancelled 2009-09-18, S/N 7FC-415, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7FC
- Registry model: [Champion 7FC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7fc) (registry code 21101NX) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7FC-415
- Airframe hours: 1860
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Susan L. Pennington
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 22, 1986
- Airport: W48, Essex Skypark, runway 15, 2,100 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,103 total, 70 in this make and model, 1,038 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI, 14 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 19860831044369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860831044369A), Aug 31, 1986: Bbavia 7FC, Baltimore, MD, Substantial damage. Hard bounced landing and nose wheel fork broke. Aircraft flipped over. Pilot was dragging brakes on landing.

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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