# NTSB BFO91DID01: Aeronca Champion 7BCM, N7702B, Suffolk, VA, November 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: November 8, 1990, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Suffolk, VA
- Coordinates: 36.700923, -76.629196 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7009&lon=-76.6292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 2, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11618
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91DID01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11618/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91DID01

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO LOW CYLINDER COMPRESSION. THE LOW COMPRESSION WAS A RESULT OF EXHAUST VALVE LEAKAGE AND INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION. IN ADDITION, THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE STALLING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - leak (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - low compression (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING OUT AFTER THE SECOND TOUCH-AND-GO LANDING, WHEN WITNESSES REPORTED HEARING POPPING NOISES FROM THE ENGINE. THE ACFT NOSED DOWN, DESCENDED, AND CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA ABOUT 1,000 FT PAST THE END OF THE RWY. INVESTIGATION REVEALED A COMPRESSION TEST READING OF 17/80 FOR THE #2 CYLINDER; THE EXHAUST VALVE GUIDE AND SEAT WERE MISALIGNED. IN ADDITION, ALL THE ENGINE INTAKE CONNECTOR HOSES WERE DRY-ROTTED, THE SPARK PLUGS APPPEARED TO BE GAPPED TOO TIGHTLY, AND ONE LEAD WAS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED. THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS DONE ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, AND THE ACFT HAD OPERATED ABOUT 15 HRS SINCE THEN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7702B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7702B-1994-02-10), registration cancelled 1994-02-10, S/N 7BCM228 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA CHAMPION 7BCM (CHAMPION 7)
- Registry model: [Champion AERONCA 7BCM](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-aeronca-7bcm) (registry code 2110144) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7BCM-288
- Airframe hours: 2040
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-8F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fredric G Nuckles
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 31, 1990, 15 hours before
- Airport: Suffolk Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORF, 23 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 19901108049249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901108049249A), Nov 8, 1990: Bbavia 7BCM, Suffolk, VA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Slow on climb stalled into trees. Engine poor condition,stuck valves,dirty screens,mag mistimed.

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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