# NTSB CHI88LA116: Champion 7GCBC, N9686S, La Crosse, WI, May 21, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1988, 18:07 local (23:07 UTC)
- Place: La Crosse, WI
- Location: 44.0177° N, 91.3003° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from HOLLAND AIR PARK (36WI), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0177&lon=-91.3003&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 April 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14078
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14078/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA116

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - powerplant - disabled (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - terrain condition - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9686S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9686S), registered now, S/N 41, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7GCBC
- Registry model: [Champion 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcbc) (registry code 21101PK) (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: 41
- Airframe hours: 10053
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Randall L. Niederkorn
- Registered owner: John J. Salsman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 25, 1987, 887 hours before
- Departed: 36WI, LA CROSSE, WI
- Airport: 36WI, Holland Airpark, runway 18, 3,100 × 50 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 930 total, 35 in this make and model, 803 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LSE, 10 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 19880521027369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880521027369A), May 21, 1988: Bbavia 7GCB, La Crosse, WI, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climb to cruise. Crash landed off airport. Lean mixture and auto fuel may have caused vapor lock.

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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