# NTSB DEN90LA070: Champion 7EC, N4301C, Pine Ridge, SD, March 4, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 4, 1990, 15:33 local (22:33 UTC)
- Place: Pine Ridge, SD
- Coordinates: 43.020713, -102.550186 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0207&lon=-102.5502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17900
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17900/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA070

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, AFTER DIVERTING HIS ATTENTION, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON THE AFTERNOON OF THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PRIVATE PILOT/OWNER AND A FRIEND TOOK OFF ON A COYOTE HUNTING FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO ABRUPTLY MAKE A TURN, STALL, AND IMPACT THE GROUND. THE SURVIVING PASSENGER SAID THAT THEY HAD JUST SPOTTED A COYOTE AND THE PLT BANKED THE ACFT SHARPLY BEFORE IT CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4301C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4301C-1990-10-30), registration cancelled 1990-10-30, S/N 7EC301 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7EC
- Registry model: [Champion 7EC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ec) (registry code 21101NM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7EC-301
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lange, Casey R
- Registered owner: Casey Lange
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: NONE, PINE RIDGE, SD
- Destination: LANGE RANCH, SD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 535 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RAP, 45 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 19900304026669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900304026669A), Mar 4, 1990: Bbavia 7EC, Pine Ridge, SD, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stalled crashed and burned from a steep low altitude turn while hunting coyotes.

## Other investigations on N4301C (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 SEA68D0093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA68D0093), Aug 14, 1967: Champion 7EC (N4301C), Wolf Point, 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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