# NTSB DEN89LA132: Champion 7GCBC, N7545F, Monticello, UT, June 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 4, 1989, 09:39 local (15:39 UTC)
- Place: Monticello, UT
- Coordinates: 37.979949, -109.290786 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9799&lon=-109.2908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17716
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17716/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA132

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. THE TERRAIN CONDITION WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO A WITNESS, THE ENG BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH AS THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING AFTER TAKEOFF, BUT IT BEGAN RUNNING NORMALLY AFTER THE NOSE WAS LOWERED. HOWEVER, AS THE PLT WAS MANEUVERING TO RETURN TO THE ARPT, THE ENG LOST POWER AGAIN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING ON UNPREPARED TERRAIN. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE ACFT AFTER THE ACDNT & NO FUEL SPILL WAS EVIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7545F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7545F-1990-02-01), registration cancelled 1990-02-01, S/N 22270 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7GCBC
- Registry model: [Champion 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcbc) (registry code 21101PK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 222-70
- Airframe hours: 766
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robson, Ralph Gordon
- Registered owner: Robson, Ralph G.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 27, 1988, 15 hours before
- Departed: U43
- Destination: U43
- Airport: U43, San Juan County, runway 34, 4,817 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 843 total, 500 in this make and model, 800 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19890604014259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890604014259A), Jun 4, 1989: Bbavia 7GCBC, Monticello, UT, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on climbout. Stalled and hit ground off airport.

## Other investigations on N7545F (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 SEA85LA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA071), Mar 10, 1985: Champion 7GC (N7545F), Reno, NV, 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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