# NTSB BFO88LA059: Champion 7ECA, N9504S, Talcott, WV, June 25, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1988, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Talcott, WV
- Coordinates: 37.649223, -80.749488 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6492&lon=-80.7495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11421
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11421/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88LA059

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO A WITNESS, THE ACFT WAS MANEUVERING AT A LOW ALTITUDE WHEN IT CONTACTED TREES.  THE ACFT THEN DESCENDED, IMPACTING THE TERRAIN 45 FT FROM THE TREES AND SLID APRX 110 FT BEFORE COMING TO REST.  THE PLT STATED THAT DUE TO INJURIES HE IS UNABLE TO RECALL THE ACCIDENT.  POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE ACFT FAILED TO REVEAL ANY MECHANICAL FAILURES/MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9504S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9504S-1989-03-21), registration cancelled 1989-03-21, S/N 7ECA235 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7ECA
- Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 235
- Airframe hours: 1358
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bennie W. Hawley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility; Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, August 25, 1987, 51 hours before
- Departed: W59, PENCE SPRINGS, WV
- Destination: BLF, BLUEFIELD, WV
- Airport: W59, Hinton-Alderson

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 700 total, 600 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BKW, 19 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 19880625038269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880625038269A), Jun 25, 1988: Bbavia STC7, Talcott, WV, Destroyed. Appears pilot stalled in a turn at low altitude. A wing clipped a tree and aircraft impacted the ground.

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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