# NTSB BFO89LA053: Champion 7GCBC, N7521F, Ocean City, MD, July 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1989, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Ocean City, MD
- Coordinates: 38.350414, -75.129089 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3504&lon=-75.1291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11514
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11514/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA053

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FROM EXHAUST GAS LEAKAGE INTO THE CARBURETOR INLET, CAUSING ENGINE AIR STARVATION, AND MATERIAL FAILURE OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.              .

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - exhaust system,manifold/pipe - failure,partial (cause)
  - exhaust system,manifold/pipe - leak (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS FLYING OVER WATER ALONG THE BEACHFRONT AT 200 FT MSL, WITH THE ENGINE SET AT 2250 RPM. HE HEARD A FAINT SOUND FROM THE ENGINE AND SENSED THAT THE MUFFLER WAS SEPARATING. HE UNSUCCESSFULLY TRIED TO CLIMB. THE ENGINE ONLY DEVELOPED 2200 RPM AT FULL THROTTLE. HE DROPPED THE BANNER AND SOON AFTERWARD THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PLT STATED THAT A BURNING SMELL FILLED THE CABIN; HOWEVER, HE DID NOT SEE ANY SMOKE. HE DITCHED THE ACFT AND USED A LIFE PRESERVER TO FLOAT ASHORE. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED MATERIAL FAILURE OF THE EXHAUST PIPE AT THE NUMBERS THREE AND FOUR CYLINDER EXHAUST STACK JOINT, WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE MUFFLER. ALSO NOTED WAS SOOT AND SMOKE DISCOLORATION INSIDE THE CARBURETOR INLET CHAMBER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7521F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7521F-1990-06-08), registration cancelled 1990-06-08, S/N 20470 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7GCBC
- Registry model: [Champion 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcbc) (registry code 21101PK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 204-70
- Airframe hours: 1588
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ocean Aerial Ads, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1988, 22 hours before
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 605 total, 195 in this make and model, 414 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBY

## 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 19890701022039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890701022039A), Jul 1, 1989: Bbavia 7GCBC, Ocean City, MD, Substantial damage. Towing banner offshore. Lost power. Dropped banner. Burn odor. Ditched. Exhaust pipe broke between cyl and muffler.

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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