# NTSB CHI90FA239: Champion 7GCAA, N2521F, Clark Lake, MI, August 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1990, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Clark Lake, MI
- Coordinates: 42.120441, -84.360221 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1204&lon=-84.3602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14549
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90FA239
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14549/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90FA239

## Probable cause

POOR JUDGEMENT OF THE PILOT DUE TO CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE ABOVE WATER, WHILE PERFORMING AEROBATIC MANEUVERS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - water
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT IN LOW FLIGHT & AEROBATIC MANEUVERS.  FOLLOWING WHAT WAS DESCRIBED AS A STEEP PULL-UP, THE AIRCRAFT WAS SEEN TO IMPACT WATER IN A STEEP DESCENT.  SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION OF THE AIRFRAME & ENGINE REVEALED NOTHING WHICH WOULD HAVE AFFECTED NORMAL FLIGHT.  TOXICOLOGY CHECKS SHOWED THE PILOT HAD A BLOOD/ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 260 MG/DL (0.26%) & A URINE/ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 183 MG/DL (0.183%).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2521F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2521F-1991-10-16), registration cancelled 1991-10-16, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7GCAA
- Registry model: [Champion 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcaa) (registry code 21101N8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harry L. Faling
- Departed: NONE, CLARK LAKE, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; toxicology performed; flight hours: 980 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: JXN, 20 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 19900825035929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900825035929A), Aug 25, 1990: Bbavia 7GCAA, Clarklake, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Intoxicated pilot allowed aircraft to impact lake waters while performing. Erratic acrobatics at a low altitude.

## Other investigations on N2521F (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 CHI69D0491](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI69D0491), Feb 21, 1969: Champion 7GCAA (N2521F), Lansing, MI, 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.

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