# NTSB BFO88FA011: Champion 7ECA, N11089, Keymar, MD, December 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 25, 1987, 13:38 local (18:38 UTC)
- Place: Keymar, MD
- Coordinates: 39.590621, -77.260299 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5906&lon=-77.2603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11356
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88FA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11356/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88FA011

## 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
  - maintenance,modification - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - electrical system,electric wiring - arcing (cause)
  - flt control syst,elevator control cable/rod - separation (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES HEARD AND OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT TAKEOFF, BANK TO THE LEFT, AND NOSE DOWN INTO THE ADJOINING DIRT FIELD WITH NO CHANGE IN ENGINE SOUND. EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT AN ELEVATOR CABLE HAD SEPARATED AT A POINT WHERE GROUNDING STRAP WAS FOUND TO BE HANGING LOOSE FROM THE BATTERY BOX. BOTH THE CABLE AND THE STRAP WERE FOUND TO HAVE EVIDENCE OF ARCING AND EACH CONTAINED ELEMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE OTHER IN THE AREA WHERE THE ARCING DAMAGE WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11089](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11089-2013-05-30), registration cancelled 2013-05-30, S/N 109, 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: 109
- Airframe hours: 1519
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sale Reported Status
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, November 17, 1987, 7 hours before
- Departed: MD42
- Airport: MD42, Keymar, runway 23, 1,875 × 120 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,135 total, 250 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI, 38 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 19871225071699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871225071699A), Dec 25, 1987: Bbavia 7ECA, Keymar, MD, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On takeoff banked and dived into ground. Arcing battery cable ground strap had burned thru nearby elevator cable.

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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