# NTSB CEN09CA192: Champion 7FC, N7681E, Thomas, OK, March 6, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 6, 2009, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Thomas, OK - Coordinates: 35.718612, -98.657775 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7186&lon=-98.6578&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Oklahoma City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73444 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA192 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73444/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA192 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7FC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=21101NX), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7FC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=21101NX), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Champion 7FC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=21101NX), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Champion 7FC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=21101NX), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was on initial climb after departing from a farm airstrip when, at approximately 75 feet above the ground, the engine lost power. The pilot made a partial-power landing in a newly planted wheat field. The airplane flipped over on its back causing substantial damage to the empennage, both wings, rudder, and vertical fin. Both occupants reported that they were not injured. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector that responded to the scene reported that there was adequate fuel on-board and no obvious reason for the loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative The private pilot was on initial climb after departing from a farm airstrip when, at approximately 75 feet above the ground, the engine lost power. The pilot made a partial power landing in a newly planted wheat field. The airplane flipped over on its back causing substantial damage to the empennage, both wings, rudder, and vertical fin. Both occupants reported they were not injured. The FAA inspector that responded to the scene reported that there was adequate fuel on-board and no obvious reason for the loss of engine power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7681E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7681E-2016-04-21), registration cancelled 2016-04-21, S/N 7FC-278, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7FC - Registry model: [Champion 7FC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7fc) (registry code 21101NX) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7FC-278 - Airframe hours: 3213 - Engines: Continental C90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 2005, 32 hours before - Departed: 1O4, Thomas, OK - Destination: 1O4, Thomas, OK - Airport: 1O4, Thomas Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 11, 2009; seat: front; flight hours: 588 total, 13 in this make and model, 14 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days - Other flight crew; age 72; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: rear; flight hours: 456 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KJWG, 15 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 20090306002309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090306002309A), Mar 6, 2009: Bbavia 7FC, Thomas, OK, Substantial damage. Pilot took off from private airstrip and lost power. Attempted to land in open wheat field but when nose gear contacted the ground aircraft flipped on back… ## Other investigations on N7681E (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI68F0767](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI68F0767), Apr 29, 1968: Champion 7FC (N7681E), Pleasant Hill, IL, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.