# NTSB DEN89LA125: Champion 7EC, N7525E, St George, UT, May 16, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1989, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: St George, UT
- Coordinates: 37.17979, -113.599761 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1798&lon=-113.5998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17712
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17712/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA125

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT. THE GUSTY CROSSWIND, SOFT TERRAIN, AND DITCH WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS PRACTICING TOUCH-&-GO LANDINGS ON RWY 16 WITH A WESTERLY WIND ESTIMATED AT 5 GUSTING 15 KTS. ON THE 3RD APCH, HE ELECTED TO MAKE A FULL STOP LANDING. DRG THE LANDING ROLL, A GUST WEATHER-VANED THE PLANE TO THE RIGHT; CORRECTIVE ACTION WAS NOT EFFECTIVE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLANE WENT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY, ENCOUNTERED SOFT TERRAIN & A DITCH, THEN NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7525E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7525E), registered now, S/N 7EC-670, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7EC
- Registry model: [Champion 7EC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ec) (registry code 21101NM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7EC-670
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harrer, Darryl L.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: SGU
- Destination: SGU
- Airport: SGU, St George Muni, runway 16, 6,100 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 233 total, 90 in this make and model, 137 as pilot in command, 87 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890516012739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890516012739A), May 16, 1989: Bbavia 7EC, Saint George, UT, Substantial damage. Encountered wind gust on landing. Lost control. Departed runway stopping in field.

## Other investigations on N7525E (1)

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 SEA77FTA23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA77FTA23), Aug 5, 1977: Bellanca 7CE (N7525E), Baker, MT, 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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