# NTSB CHI97LA156: Champion 7ECA, N5253X, Gregory, MI, June 4, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 4, 1997, 12:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Gregory, MI - Coordinates: 42.44918, -84.080429 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4492&lon=-84.0804&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10586 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA156 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10586/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA156 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper planning/decision. The tailwind and location of trees were related factors. ## 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 - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis After checking the windsocks at each end of the runway, the pilot selected runway 20 for departure. During the initial climb, the airplane began to descend, and it impacted trees. About five minutes after the accident and 22 nautical miles southwest of the accident site, a weather reporting station recorded the wind to be 030 degrees at 7 knots. The pilot reported no mechanical difficulties with the airplane at the time of the accident. After the accident, inspections of the airplane and engine failed to reveal any preexisting anomalies. ## Factual narrative On June 4, 1997, at 1245 eastern daylight time, a Champion 7ECA, N5253X, sustained substantial damage during impact with trees and the terrain following a descent from initial climb on takeoff. The accident occurred at a private airport located near Gregory, Michigan. The pilot received serious injuries, while the passenger received minor injuries. The local personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he elected to conduct the takeoff to the south (runway 20) after checking the windsocks at both ends of the runway. He said that the aircraft performance was normal; however, after takeoff the airplane began to descend and impacted trees. The nearest recorded weather was 22 nautical miles to the southwest of the accident site. Five minutes after the accident that station was reporting the wind condition to be 030 degrees at 7 knots. The airplane and engine were inspected subsequent to the accident and a copy of the report of that inspection in included as an addendum to this report. The inspection did not establish any preexisting anomalies with the airplane or engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5253X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5253X-1998-01-22), registration cancelled 1998-01-22, S/N 693 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7ECA - Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 693 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C-1 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Safdar F. Nana - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 1996, 28 hours before - Departed: NONE - Destination: OWZ, HOWELL, MI - Airport: NONE, None, runway 20, 1,400 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 20,900 total, 92 in this make and model, 16,000 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 7 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KJA, 22 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 19970604018479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970604018479A), Jun 4, 1997: Bbavia 7ECA, Gregory, MI, Substantial damage. (.4)After checking the windsocks at each end of the runway, the pilot selected runway 20 for departure. During the initial climb, the airplane began to… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.