# NTSB CHI03LA089: Champion 7ECA, N1814G, Raymond, MN, March 22, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 22, 2003, 14:57 local (20:57 UTC) - Place: Raymond, MN - Coordinates: 45.010002, -95.229164 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0100&lon=-95.2292&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56685 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56685/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA089 ## Probable cause The altitude/clearance not maintained by the pilot and his ostentatious display. The power lines and the pilot's maneuvering at low altitude were contributing factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - ostentatious display, pilot in command (cause) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - altitude - low, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane impacted power lines and terrain after being observed by witnesses to be "hot dogging around in front of us and stuff." When questioned if the pilot was "showing off" the witness responded, "Yeah, I suppose." The inspection of the airplane revealed no preexisting anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On March 22, 2003, at 1457 central standard time, a Champion 7ECA, N1814G, owned and piloted by a commercial pilot, was destroyed when it impacted a power line and terrain while maneuvering along a road near Raymond, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and passenger received serious injuries. The flight originated from Willmar Municipal Airport, Willmar, Minnesota, at 1430, en route to Clara City, Minnesota. A witness, who was also a friend of the pilot and passenger, stated that he and another person were traveling along a road in a car at the time of the accident. He stated that the pilot was, "hot dogging around in front of us and stuff" along a road and field with power lines. The witness reported that the pilot was a crop duster and was "used to spinning and going up and down." When questioned if the pilot was "showing off," the witness responded, "yeah, I suppose." The witness stated that the pilot was "going to go underneath the power lines and back up and then [the pilot] must not apparently have seen it, [the] lower [power line], clipped it and took one wing off and nose-dived into the ground." Inspection of the wreckage by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed no preexisting anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1814G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1814G-2004-10-08), registration cancelled 2004-10-08, S/N 574, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7ECA - Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 574 - Airframe hours: 1327 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 2003, 1,327 hours before - Departed: ILL, Willmar, MN - Destination: Clara City, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review July 9, 2002; seat: front; flight hours: 1,616 total, 245 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: ILL ## 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 20030322003889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030322003889A), Mar 22, 2003: Bbavia 7ECA, Raymond, MN, Destroyed. (-23) Witnesses observed the airplane conducting maneuvers at low altitude. Witnesses who were traveling in a vehicle on an adjacent road saw the airplane… ## Other investigations on N1814G (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 MIA75DLG08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA75DLG08), Jul 28, 1974: Champion 7ECA (N1814G), Aiken, SC, 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.