- Date
- May 10, 2005, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place
- Fort Collins, CO
- Injuries
- 2 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N11065Champion 7ECA
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report September 13, 2005
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Parties
- FAA Flight Standards District Office
- FAA report
- 20050510007119A
- Case key
- 61456
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation which failed to assure adequate takeoff performance to clear obstacles. Contributing factors included the miscalculated weight and balance and the high density altitude.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot stated that they had just filled the tanks with fuel and the airplane was loaded "right at gross weight." He stated that approximately 200 feet agl and 3/4 down the runway, the airplane "stopped climbing and started sinking." The pilot attempted to increase the airspeed by lowering the nose; however, the airplane continued to descend. The pilot reduced the power to avoid the power lines. The airplane impacted a tree and came to rest on its right side causing substantial damage. According to the FAA inspector who traveled to the scene, the airplane was overloaded and exceeded the gross takeoff weight by at least 18 pounds. According to the Fort Collins-Loveland METAR (aviation routine weather report), the temperature was 16 degrees Celsius (C), the dew point was 04 degrees C, and the altimeter setting was 29.80 inches. Calculated density altitude was 6,500 feet.
Factual narrative
On May 10, 2005, approximately 1000 mountain daylight time, a Champion 7ECA, N11065, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed when it impacted a tree and terrain during the initial climb from Fort Collins Downtown Airport (3V5), Fort Collins, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and pilot rated passenger reported minor injuries. The cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident and was en route to Colby, Kansas.
According to a telephone interview with the pilot, he had just purchased the airplane and was flying it to Dexter, Missouri. He stated that they had just filled the tanks with fuel and the airplane was loaded "right at gross weight." During the departure, the airplane was "not developing enough power" and would not climb; however, the pilot estimated the engine was developing 2650 to 2700 rpm.
In the accident report submitted by the pilot, he stated that approximately 200 feet agl and 3/4 down the runway, the airplane "stopped climbing and started sinking." The pilot attempted to increase the airspeed by lowering the nose; however, the airplane continued to descend. The pilot reduced power to avoid power lines. The airplane impacted a tree and came to rest on its right side. The right wing separated from the fuselage and the left wing was folded up. The fuselage and empennage were wrinkled. According to the FAA inspector who traveled to the scene, the airplane was overloaded and exceeded the gross take off weight by at least 18 pounds. A postimpact examination of the airplane's systems, conducted by the FAA, revealed no anomalies.
According to the Fort Collins-Loveland (FNL) METAR (aviation routine weather report), located 8 nautical miles south of 3V5, the temperature was 16 degrees Celsius (C), the dew point was 04 degrees C., and the altimeter setting was 29.80 inches. Calculated density altitude was 6,500 feet.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N11065
- Reported as
- Champion 7ECA
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 79
- Airframe hours
- 1,430.5
- Engine
- Continental 0-200, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · August 1, 2004 · 5 hours before
- Departed
- 3V5 · Fort Collins, CO
- Destination
- CBK · Colby, KS
- Airport
- 3V5 · Fort Collins Downtown, runway 11, 5,300 × 44 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew · 2
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 47
- Injuries
- Minor
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- September 1, 2004
- Seat
- Front
- Flight hours
- 266 total · 8 in this make and model · 237 as pilot in command · 8 in the last 90 days · 8 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
- Role
- Other flight crew
- Age
- 52
- Injuries
- Minor
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- February 1, 2005
- Seat
- Rear
- Flight hours
- 114 total · 92 as pilot in command · 7 in the last 90 days · 1 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 50° at 8 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 61 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.79 inHg
- Observed at
- FNL, 8 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.
Other investigations on N11065 · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.