# NTSB DEN87FA224: Champion 7ECA, N11024, Devils Lake, ND, August 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1987, 11:40 local (16:40 UTC)
- Place: Devils Lake, ND
- Coordinates: 48.109085, -98.870811 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1091&lon=-98.8708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17127
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87FA224
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17127/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA224

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - reduced
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wake turbulence - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING AT LOW ALTITUDE AND CIRCLING A FARM THAT BELONGED TO THE PLT'S SISTER. AFTER MAKING TWO PASSES BY THE FARM, THE ACFT CRASHED IN A CORN FIELD. THE PLT SAID HE WAS LOOKING FOR A FIELD IN WHICH TO LAND, AND ON THE 2ND PASS, THE ACFT ENCTRD 'WING TIP VORTICES' FROM THE PREVIOUS PASS. HE ESTD THE AIRSPEED AT THAT TIME WAS APRX 75 TO 80 MPH AND THE ACFT WAS IN ABOUT A 45 DEG BANK. ALSO, HE SAID THE LEFT WING DROPPED AND HE INITIATED STALL RECOVERY PROCEDURES, BUT THE ACFT HIT THE GROUND BEFORE A FULL RECOVERY WAS MADE. ADDITIONALLY, HE STATED, 'NATURE OF ACCIDENT WAS AN ACCELERATED TURNING STALL.'  THE PLT'S MED CERT WAS DATED 2/6/85.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11024](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11024-1991-03-26), registration cancelled 1991-03-26, S/N 4 (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: 4
- Airframe hours: 1030
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jack E. Baker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, August 17, 1987
- Departed: WEBSTER, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 208 total, 15 in this make and model, 158 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DVL, 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19870826053269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870826053269A), Aug 26, 1987: Bbavia 7ECA, Devils Lake, ND, Destroyed. Turning stall at low altitude. Crashed nose low,right wing low attitude in a field. Fire destroyed aircraft.

## Other investigations on N11024 (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 DEN87LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA184), Jul 16, 1987: Champion 7ECA (N11024), Devils Lake, ND, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA65F0113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA65F0113), Apr 25, 1965: Champion 7ECA (N11024), Charlotte, NC, 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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