# NTSB CHI87LA165: Champion 7EC, N4365C, Lake Monroe, IN, July 13, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1987, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Lake Monroe, IN
- Coordinates: 39.159873, -86.519172 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1599&lon=-86.5192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13790
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13790/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA165

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - landing gear,float assembly - leak (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,float assembly - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained
  - descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE FLOAT EQUIPPED ACFT TOOK OFF FROM LAKE MONROE WITH 2 RATED PLTS ON BOARD. THE PLT-IN-COMMAND (PIC) STATED THAT THE TAKEOFF DISTANCE MAY HAVE BEEN ABOUT 20% LONGER THAN NORMAL. HE SAID THAT AFTER CLIMBING ABOUT 200 TO 250 FT, THE COPLT BEGAN A RGT TURN, THEN 'WAS NOT ABLE TO GET WING UP & BY THE TIME I REALIZED WE HAD A PROBLEM, THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH TIME OR ALTITUDE TO TRY TO DO ANYTHING.'  RPRTDLY, THE ACFT SETTLED & CONTACTED THE WATER WITH ITS RGT WING, THEN SANK AFTER IT CRASHED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT HAD A HISTORY OF LEAKING FLOATS. THREE DAYS BFR THE FLT, THE ACFT WAS FND PARTIALLY SUNK WHILE MOORED AT A BUOY. PRIOR TO THE FLT, ONLY THE 2 FRONT COMPARTMENTS OF EACH FLOAT WERE PUMPEDOUT. WT & BALANCE INFO SHOWED THAT WITHOUT ANY WATER IN THE FLOATS, THE ACFT WOULD HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO ITS MAX GROSS WT LIMIT & THE CG WOULD HAVE BEEN NEAR THE AFT LIMIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4365C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4365C), registered now, S/N 7EC-388, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7EC
- Registry model: [Champion 7EC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ec) (registry code 21101NM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7EC-388
- Airframe hours: 3111
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Torp Aero Service, Inc.
- Last inspection: Annual, September 4, 1986
- Departed: 071
- Airport: 071, Lake Monroe Spb

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 13,300 total, 31 in this make and model, 47 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 310° at 6 knots
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BMG, 9 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 19870713037399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870713037399A), Jul 13, 1987: Bbavia S7EC, Lake Monroe, IN, Substantial damage. Initial climb. Right turn. Unable to get wing up. Hit water. Rolled over. Sank. Suspect water in wing. Leaky floats

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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