# NTSB CHI98LA027: Champion 7ECA, N7505F, Augusta, KS, October 29, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 29, 1997, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Augusta, KS
- Coordinates: 37.68909, -96.969841 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6891&lon=-96.9698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10774
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10774/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA027

## Probable cause

failure of the aircraft owner to reinstall the quick release hinge pins/safety pins, and failure of the pilot to notice the missing pins during the aircraft preflight, which resulted in separation of the main entry door during flight.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - miscellaneous,dowel/pin - not installed (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other person (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - door - separation

## Analysis

The main entry door separated from the airplane during cruise flight, resulting in substantial damage to the right side of the airplane. No evidence was found to indicate that the safety pin for the quick release hinge pins had been installed. The owner had the door removed from the airplane during the summer and had recently reinstalled it.

## Factual narrative

On October 29, 1997, at 1530 central standard time, a Champion 7ECA, N7505F, operated by a commercial pilot experienced a separation of the main entry door during cruise flight 9 miles east of Augusta, Kansas.  Substantial damage to the right wing resulted from the door separation.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The pilot and passenger were not injured.  The original destination for the flight was Wichita, Kansas, but the pilot diverted to Augusta, Kansas, following the door separation.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight originated from Beaumount, Kansas, at 1500 cst.

The airplane was inspected by an Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Wichita Flight Standards District Office who reported that the main entry door quick release hinge pins backed out of the hinges, allowing the door to separate from the airplane.  The system is designed with a safety pin to secure the hinge pins in place.  There was no evidence that the safety pin had been installed.  The airplane owner reported that he had the door off of the airplane during the summer and had recently reinstalled it.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7505F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7505F), registered now, S/N 716, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Champion 7ECA
- Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (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: 716
- Engines: Lycoming O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joe Roth
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 7K9, BEAUMOUNT, KS
- Destination: 71K, WICHITA, KS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ICT, 32 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 19971029031149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971029031149A), Oct 29, 1997: Bbavia 7ECA, Augusta, KS, Substantial damage. Cabin door seperated in flight. Diverted to 3AU. Damaged right wing. Quick release pins came out. No safety pin.

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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