# NTSB CHI93LA300: Champion 7FC, N8521E, Ortonville, MN, July 30, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1993, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Ortonville, MN
- Coordinates: 45.299484, -96.440795 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2995&lon=-96.4408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 17, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9266
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA300
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9266/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA300

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to refuel prior to fuel exhaustion.

## 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
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS EN ROUTE TO AN AIRPORT TO REFUEL, BUT HE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER APPROXIMATELY TWO MILES BEFORE REACHING HIS DESTINATION. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.  HE LANDED ON A GRAVEL ROAD, STRUCK A MAIL BOX, WENT OFF THE ROADWAY, AND NOSED OVER.

## Factual narrative

On July 30, 1993, about 1800 central daylight time, a Champion 7FC airplane, N8521E, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing on a gravel road near Ortonville, Minnesota.  The solo commercial pilot received minor injury.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated without flight plan in visual meteorological conditions.  The flight departed Madison, Minnesota, about 1745.

The pilot reported a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.  He landed on a gravel road, struck a mail box, went off the roadway and nosed over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8521E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7FC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 337
- Airframe hours: 5145
- Engines: CONTINENTAL 90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Leonard P.  Kahl
- Registered owner: Leonard P. Kahl
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 1993, 25 hours before
- Departed: MADISON, MN
- Airport: Ortonville

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,900 total, 500 in this make and model, 1,900 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MVE, 30 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 19930730027189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930730027189A), Jul 30, 1993: Bbavia 7FC, Ortonville, MN, Substantial damage. En route to airport to refuel. Lost power 2MI short due fuel exhaustion. Landed on road. Hit mailbox. Nosed over.

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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