# NTSB CHI88DEM08: Champion 7KCAB, N5124T, Grand Haven, MI, August 13, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1988, 14:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Grand Haven, MI
- Coordinates: 43.05035, -86.220748 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0504&lon=-86.2207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13870
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DEM08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13870/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DEM08

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INATTENTIVE FUEL SYSTEM MONITORING, AND THE RESULTANT TOTAL FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT'S POWERPLANT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. A FORCED LANDING WAS EXECUTED ON A STRETCH OF BEACH WITH SAND DUNES, AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING THE ROUGH TOUCHDOWN AND LANDING ROLL. THE PILOT EXPECTED TO HAVE AT LEAST ANOTHER HOUR OF FUEL, BASED ON PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE. FUEL QUANTITY WAS BEING JUDGED BY TIMING THE DURATION OF ACCUMULATED FLIGHTS; NO ELECTRIC FUEL QUANTITY INDICATOR WAS INSTALLED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - sand bar

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS TOWING BANNERS ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. AFTER TOWING THE THIRD BANNER FOR AN ESTIMATED 1 1/4 HOURS, HE WAS RETURNING TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT WHEN THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE FAILED COMPLETELY. HE SELECTED THE 'CLOSEST FIELD THAT LOOKED THE BEST...' AND EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING ON AN AREA OF ROUGH SAND DUNES. THE PILOT HAD A COMMERCIAL PILOT'S CERTIFICATE WITH APPROXIMATELY 633 HOURS TOTAL FLIGHT TIME, OF WHICH 72 HOURS WERE IN THE ACCIDENT MAKE AND MODEL AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD BEEN TOWING BANNERS FOR 'TWO SEASONS' AND 'ALWAYS TIMED...FUEL BURN TO LEAVE 1 HOUR RESERVE.' HE STATED THAT HE JUDGED HIS FUEL QUANTITY BY THE CUMULATIVE HOURS THE AIRCRAFT HAD FLOWN SINCE THE AIRCRAFT HAD NO ELECTRIC FUEL QUANTITY INDICATOR. HE STATED THAT HE ESTIMATED THAT HE HAD ONE HOUR OF FUEL REMAINING WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5124T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5124T), registered now, S/N 23, 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: 23
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: C. J. Black & C. A. Tuinstra
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, September 10, 1987, 90 hours before
- Departed: 3GM, GRAND HAVEN, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 633 total, 72 in this make and model, 605 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKG, 4 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 19880813035349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880813035349A), Aug 13, 1988: Bbavia 7KCAB, Grand Haven, MI, Substantial damage. Lost power while towing a banner. Made hard landing in soft sand dunes. Found fuel tanks empty. No ELT on board.

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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