# NTSB CHI91LA209: Champion 7KCAB, N1844G, Hill City, SD, July 4, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1991, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Hill City, SD
- Coordinates: 43.930686, -103.56948 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9307&lon=-103.5695&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 March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15114
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA209
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15114/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA209

## Probable cause

POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING BY THE PILOT AND OVER CONFIDENCE IN THE AIRCRAFTS ABILITY.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE A HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND A PROPER CLIMB RATE NOT ATTAINED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,static
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT AFTER LIFT OFF HE WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB AND AVOID POWER LINES AT THE END OF THE FIELD.  FLIGHT WAS ATTEMPTED UNDER HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE CONDITIONS FROM A 1100 FOOT STRIP. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE POWER LINES, THEN THE TERRAIN. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ABOUT 8300 FEET MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1844G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1844G), registered now, S/N 84, built 1968 (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: 84
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bruce Anspaugh
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Airport: NONE, Kelly, runway 18, 1,100 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 22,390 total, 2,085 in this make and model, 2,179 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 102 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RAP, 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 19910704025769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910704025769A), Jul 4, 1991: Bbavia 7KCAB, Hill City, SD, Substantial damage. Unable to climb on high density altitude takeoff from short private strip. Struck wires and crashed.

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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