# NTSB DEN85LA140: Champion 7FC, N781VY, Watkins, CO, May 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1985, 12:17 local (18:17 UTC)
- Place: Watkins, CO
- Coordinates: 39.750492, -104.600151 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7505&lon=-104.6002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16682
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16682/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA140

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted landing - performed, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A WITNESS STATED THE ACFT VEERED APRX 30 DEGS DURING THE LANDING ROLL AND WAS HEADING TOWARD THE NORTH EDGE OF THE RWY WHEN FULL PWR WAS ADDED TO ABORT THE LANDING. THE ACFT TOOK OFF AND TRAVELED OVER A GRASS AND WHEAT FIELD, WHICH BORDERS THE RWY, WITH THE LANDING GEAR TOUCHING THE TOPS OF THE WHEAT. WITNESS CONTINUED TO REPORT, 'THE PILOT THEN GAINED AN ESTIMATED 40 FEET OF ALTITUDE AGL BUT ALSO APPEARED TO BE, IN MY OPINION, CLOSE TO FULL STALL.' THE ACFT CONTINUED TO FLY ALONG THE NORTH SIDE OF THE RWY FOR APRX 2500 FT BEFORE IT ENTERED A STEEP RIGHT BANK AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND RIGHT WING TIP FIRST. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED A BROKEN MAIN AILERON BELLCRANK. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THE BELLCRANK FAILURE RESULTED FROM A SUDDEN OVERLOAD. THE PLT HAD A TOTAL OF 5 HRS FLT TIME IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N781VY](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N781VY-1992-12-09), registration cancelled 1992-12-09, S/N 7FC319 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7FC
- Registry model: [Champion 7FC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7fc) (registry code 21101NX) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7FC 319
- Airframe hours: 800
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ivey Simmons
- Registered owner: Daniel Beckman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 7, 1984, 43 hours before
- Departed: APA, ENGLEWOOD, CO
- Airport: Front Range, runway 26, 8,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 282 total, 5 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19850523027999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850523027999A), May 23, 1985: Bbavia 7FC, Watkins, CO, Destroyed. Swerved on landing roll, went around. Right wing stalled. Impacted ground, cartwheeled.

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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