# NTSB ERA10LA449: Champion Aeronca 7HC, N8919R, Louisville, KY, August 27, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 27, 2010, 14:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Louisville, KY - Coordinates: 38.07611, -85.678886 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0761&lon=-85.6789&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 11, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA / FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77108 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10LA449 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77108/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77108 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA449 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to fuel system contamination resulting in damage to the carburetor float. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion AERONCA 7HC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000/cases.md?model=2110172), [All aircraft, 143 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062000/cases.md) - [Fuel system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion AERONCA 7HC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md?model=2110172), [All aircraft, 181 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022800/cases.md) - [Engine fuel and control: fuel control/carburetor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion AERONCA 7HC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md?model=2110172), [All aircraft, 195 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion AERONCA 7HC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md?model=2110172), [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Champion AERONCA 7HC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2110172), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Champion AERONCA 7HC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2110172), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the initial takeoff, with the airplane about 800 feet above the ground, the engine experienced a loss of power. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) took authority of the controls and elected to land in an open field within a residential area. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted a street stop sign and separated both main landing gears, resulting in substantial damage. A postaccident engine examination revealed that the carburetor's brass float had a perforation located at its lowest point in the bowl. The perforation exhibited surface features such as pits and roughening consistent with a chemical etching reaction, similar to corrosion. The affected areas on the float were consistent with a small quantity of corrosive liquid having been retained in the bottom of the carburetor bowl for a sufficient time. The perforation in the float most likely adversely affected the carburetor’s performance and led to the loss of engine power. The carburetor had been restored and it is likely that the fuel system was not properly flushed after the restoration process to remove any possible foreign object/liquid contamination. ## Factual narrative On August 27, 2010, at about 1450 eastern daylight time, a Champion Aeronca, 7HC, N8919R, owned and operated by a private individual, incurred substantial damaged during a force landing following a loss of engine power near the Blue Lick Airport (07KY), Louisville, Kentucky. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and the student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, instructional flight. The owner/student pilot stated that the airplane went through a restoration process. The wings were removed for repairs, new fabric work, and the carburetor was overhaul by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved repair facility and reinstalled upon its return in June of 2009. The airplane’s paint job was completed around November of 2009. The airplane’s engine was initially started at that time. Since then, it was estimated the engine had about 2 hours of ground runs prior to the accident. The owner/student pilot stated that about 3 weeks prior to the accident, he had taxied and performed engine ground runs to get familiarized with the airplane and to check it out before starting the tail wheel instructional training. The CFI stated that earlier in the day he and the student flew once in the pattern so he could get a feel of the airplane and commented that the airplane’s performance was unremarkable. They landed taxied to the fix base operator and parked the airplane. They disembarked and went in to start ground school. After lunch they return to the airplane for the actual flight training; once again, the student in the front and the CFI in the back seat. The preflight and ground run up checks were unremarkable. The student was at the controls at takeoff and started a right bank at an estimated altitude of 800 feet above the ground when they were surprised by the sudden loss of total engine power. The CFI took over the controls and elected to land in an open field within a residential area. The airplane’s right wing impacted with a street stop sign and a phone cable box. Both main landing gear bent and separated aft before the airplane came to a stop in the open field. The responding FAA inspector stated that a post recovery examination of the airplane revealed about 16 gallons of aviation fuel in the tanks. Fuel was observed up to the carburetor system. All cylinders had compression when checked and sparks were noted at the spark plugs during propeller rotation. A post recovery engine run was performed. The engine started and produced power. After the engine run, the carburetor was removed and was partially disassembled. One of the floats was observed with a noticeable hole (perforated) at the lowest point of the float. The carburetor was sent to the National Transportation Safety Board Materials Laboratory for metallurgical examination. The dimensions of the perforation were 0.14 inch long and 0.09 inch in width. The region surrounding the perforation exhibited surfacefeatures such as pits and roughening consistent with a chemical etching reaction, similar to corrosion. The location of the perforation and surrounding etched areas on the float were consistent with a small quantity of liquid, which was corrosive to brass, remained retained in the bottom of the carburetor bowl a sufficient time for the chemical reaction. The corrosion progressed to the point the float’s skin disintegrated, creating the perforation. Review of the carburetor overhaul documentation revealed the float was reused and was not required to be replaced at that time. The overhaul facility returns the newly overhaul carburetors dry; without any preservative treatment. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8919R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8919R-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N 7HC-21, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHAMPION AERONCA 7HC - Registry model: [Champion AERONCA 7HC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-aeronca-7hc) (registry code 2110172) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7HC-21 - Airframe hours: 1172 - Engines: LYCOMING O-290 SERIES 140 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 2010, 1 hours before - Departed: 07KY, Louisville, KY - Destination: 07KY, Louisville, KY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 78; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 26, 2008; seat: rear; flight hours: 5,366 total, 1,768 in this make and model, 85 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 5, 2005; seat: front; flight hours: 279 total, 57 in this make and model, 218 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: KSDF, 6 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 20100827044459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100827044459A), Aug 27, 2010: Champion AERONCA 7HC, Hillview, KY, Substantial damage. On 8/27/2010, a flight instructor was conducting a biannual flight review with pilot/owner. They flew aircraft for :30 min local pattern at bluelick airport,… ## Docket (11 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 26, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77108. 6.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 779 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338715&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 313 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338716&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Miscellaneous: Record of Conversation with the Airplane Owner. (item 3, .PDF, 40 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338717&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%3A%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20the%20Airplane%20Owner.-Redacted.PDF - Miscellaneous: Excerpts from Airplane's Maintenance Records. (item 4, .PDF, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338718&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%3A%20Excerpts%20from%20Airplane%27s%20Maintenance%20Records.-Redacted.PDF - Miscellaneous: Engine Run Work Order. (item 5, .PDF, 46 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338719&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%3A%20Engine%20Run%20Work%20Order.-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports: Excerpt From Carburetor Overhaul Documents. (item 6, .PDF, 482 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338720&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports%3A%20Excerpt%20From%20Carburetor%20Overhaul%20Documents.-Redacted.PDF - Materials Lab Factual 10-098 (item 7, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338661&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Materials%20Lab%20Factual%2010-098-Master.PDF - Miscellaneous: Return of Carburetor, Documentation. (item 8, .PDF, 117 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342211&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%3A%20Return%20of%20Carburetor,%20Documentation.-Master.PDF - Photo 1)View of the Airplane. Photo Provided by the Federal Aviation Administration. (item 9, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338722&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201)View%20of%20the%20Airplane.%20Photo%20Provided%20by%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration.-Master.PDF - Photo 2) View of Inside the Carburetor Bowl. Photo Provided by the Federal Aviation Administration. (item 10, .PDF, 975 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338723&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202)%20View%20of%20Inside%20the%20Carburetor%20Bowl.%20Photo%20Provided%20by%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration.-Master.PDF - Photo 3) View of the Preforated Float. Photo Provided by the Federal Aviation Administration. (item 11, .PDF, 620 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338724&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203)%20View%20of%20the%20Preforated%20Float.%20Photo%20Provided%20by%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration.-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.