# NTSB CHI87DEX08: Champion 7KCAB, N6343N, Sheridan, IN, August 31, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1987, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Sheridan, IN
- Coordinates: 40.13084, -86.21051 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1308&lon=-86.2105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13612
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87DEX08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13612/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DEX08

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - initiated, pilot in command(cfi)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

ON INITIAL CLIMBOUT AT APPROXIMATELY 400' AGL THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL POWER FAILURE. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MANEUVER THE AIRCRAFT TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT, HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT WAS FORCED TO LAND IN A FARM FIELD 1/4 MILE SHORT OF THE AIRPORT. THE PRIVATE PILOT RECEIVING INSTRUCTION STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HIT THE GROUND IN A NOSE-LOW, LEFT BANK ATTITUDE. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED DURING THE LANDING. EXAMINATION AND RUN-UP OF THE ENGINE BY FAA INVESTIGATORS FAILED 'TO PROVIDE CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE TO SHOW INDICATION OF AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6343N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6343N), registered now, S/N 35, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7KCAB
- Registry model: [Champion 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7kcab) (registry code 21101P3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 35
- Airframe hours: 1222
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: David L. Railer  Jeff G. Apple
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 1, 1987, 12 hours before
- Departed: 5I4, SHERIDAN, IN
- Airport: 5I4, Sheridan, runway 23, 3,800 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,194 total, 14 in this make and model, 2,098 as pilot in command, 193 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19870831048889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870831048889A), Aug 31, 1987: Bbavia 7KCAB, Sheridan, IN, Substantial damage. Power loss after takeoff. Attempted 180 degree turn crashing off airport. Engine running at impact. No engine fault

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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