# NTSB BFO92LA054: Champion 7GCAA, N1837G, South Boston, VA, May 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 1, 1992, 08:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: South Boston, VA
- Coordinates: 36.700141, -78.90068 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7001&lon=-78.9007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11780
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11780/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA054

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN OBSTACLE CLEARANCE WHICH RESULTED IN INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH A POWERLINE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DID A SIMULATED FORCED LANDING, USING AN OPEN FIELD.  DURING THE GO AROUND THE AIRPLANE STRUCK POWERLINES, DAMAGING THE RIGHT WING.  THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE FLIGHT AND HE PROCEEDED TO A LOCAL AIRPORT AND LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1837G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1837G-2013-07-18), registration cancelled 2013-07-18, S/N 180, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7GCAA
- Registry model: [Champion 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcaa) (registry code 21101N8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 180
- Airframe hours: 1845
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Edward Nixon
- Registered owner: Edward Nixon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1991, 25 hours before
- Departed: TRI, BRISTOL, TN
- Destination: W36, CHESAPEAKE, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,379 total, 146 in this make and model, 1,241 as pilot in command, 294 in the last 90 days, 102 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAN, 20 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 19920501013279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920501013279A), May 1, 1992: Bbavia 7GCAA, South Boston, VA, Substantial damage. Wing struck a powerline on a go around from a practice forced landing. Remained airborne and landed safely.

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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