# NTSB DEN86LA001: Champion 7GCAA, N9614S, Cortez, CO, October 1, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1985, 15:52 local (21:52 UTC)
- Place: Cortez, CO
- Coordinates: 37.349266, -108.570693 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3493&lon=-108.5707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16867
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16867/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA001

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

AFTER 3.9 HRS FLT TIME ON A X-COUNTRY FLT FROM CHEYENNE, WY, TO CORTEZ, CO, THE PLT EXPERIENCED AN ENG FAILURE DUE TO FUEL EXAHUSTION. HE EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN A MOUNTAIN MEADOW THAT WAS NOT ADEQUATE IN LENGTH FOR THE LANDING. THE ACFT IMPACTED TREES ON LANDING ROLL AT APRX 10 MPH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9614S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9614S), registered now, S/N 46, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7GCAA
- Registry model: [Champion 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcaa) (registry code 21101N8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46
- Airframe hours: 815
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gene E. Patton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 5, 1985, 58 hours before
- Departed: CYS, CHEYENNE, WY
- Destination: CEZ, CORTEZ, CO
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,417 total, 2,291 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CEZ, 28 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 19851001048449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851001048449A), Oct 1, 1985: Bbavia 7GCAA, Cortez, CO, Substantial damage. Collided with trees during rollout of forced landing due to fuel exhaustion.

## Other investigations on N9614S (2)

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.

- [NTSB FTW93LA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA038), Nov 16, 1992: Champion 7GCAA (N9614S), Joshua, TX, destroyed. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER DESCENT RATE DURING THE APPROACH AND HIS INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT.
- [NTSB DEN86LA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA104), Mar 25, 1986: Champion 7GCAA (N9614S), Falcon, CO, substantial damage

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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