# NTSB ERA16LA220: Champion 7AC, N83578, Gorham, NH, June 16, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 16, 2016, 08:55 local (12:55 UTC) - Place: Gorham, NH · Grass runway - Coordinates: 44.395, -71.204444 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3950&lon=-71.2044&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 93410 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16LA220 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93410/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93410 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA220 ## Probable cause The partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to abort the takeoff after the airplane’s initial failure to climb. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip engine power section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined; cases with it: [Champion 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md?model=21101MA), [All aircraft, 233 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Champion 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=21101MA), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Champion 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=21101MA), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Champion 7AC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=21101MA), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Champion 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=21101MA), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7AC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=21101MA), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane’s preflight inspection, runup, and takeoff roll were normal. He stated that, after becoming airborne, the airplane settled back to the runway, and he attempted to climb the airplane again but was unsuccessful. On the third attempt, the airplane lifted off but never achieved more than 20 ft of altitude. It then impacted trees about 90 ft beyond the departure end of the runway. The wooden propeller exhibited signs of rotational damage, indicating it was likely under some power; there was leading edge damage, and the outboard section of the propeller blades were splintered. The airplane was under gross weight at departure. Although a postaccident examination of the engine revealed that one of the cylinders indicated low compression, the examination was not accomplished with oversight of a Federal Aviation Administration inspector; a follow-up examination was not possible. Weather at the time of the accident was not conducive to the formation of carburetor ice. It is likely that the engine experienced a partial loss of power during the takeoff roll and subsequent attempted climb; however, the reason for the reduction of engine power and subsequent airplane performance could not be determined. In addition, instead of making repeated attempts to climb, the pilot should have aborted the takeoff at the first sign that the airplane would not climb. ## Factual narrative On June 17, 2016, about 0855 eastern daylight time, a Champion, 7AC, N83578, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Gorham, New Hampshire. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, this was the first time he had flown this particular airplane with a passenger, but he had recently flown an exemplar airplane with two 190-pound individuals and the airplane performed well. Thirteen gallons of fuel were on board for the planned 90-mile flight from Gorham Airport (2G8), Gorham, New Hampshire, to Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport (BHB) Bar Harbor, Maine. The pilot reported that the preflight, runup, and takeoff roll were all “normal.” After becoming airborne, the airplane would not climb out of ground effect and settled back onto the runway. He attempted to climb the airplane again, but the same thing occurred. On his third attempt, the airplane lifted off but never achieved more than 20 ft of altitude, then impacted trees about 90 ft beyond the departure end of the runway. The airplane came to rest upright just inside the tree line. Broken branches about 20 ft up in the trees and scattered branches were observed around the wreckage. Examination of the wooden propeller found signs of rotational damage. One propeller blade was splintered about 12 inches out from the hub. The opposing blade was splintered about 24 inches out from the hub and there was leading edge impact damage to the brass erosion protector. The right outboard portion of the wing separated, and the left wing leading edge was crushed. An examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed oil in the crankcase, and three-quarters of a tank of fuel that was clear of water or debris. A local airframe and powerplant mechanic who was familiar with the airplane was asked to conduct a compression test under FAA supervision; however, he conducted maintenance and performed the examination without any oversight. The mechanic reported to the pilot that the No. 2 cylinder had a compression value of less than 50 psi and the remaining cylinders had compression readings in the mid-70s. No additional records documenting the airplane or engine maintenance history, or the postaccident examination were available for review. The mechanic who completed the examination could not be reached for follow-up. According to FAA airmen medical records, the pilot weighed 212 pounds as of his last medical examination on December 17, 2015. His passenger weighed about 135 pounds and the fuel weighed 78 pounds, which placed the gross weight under the useful load by about 55 pounds. Performance data for the airplane indicate that the takeoff distance required to clear a 50 ft obstacle is about 630 ft, which was about one quarter of the runway’s length. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N83578](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83578-2018-05-31), registration cancelled 2018-05-31, S/N 7AC-2254, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7AC (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Champion 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ac) (registry code 21101MA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7AC-2254 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 2929 - Engines: Continental W670 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 15, 2015, 2.1 hours before - Departed: 2G8, Gorham, NH - Destination: BHB, BAR HARBOR, ME - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 2G8, Gorham, runway 30, 2,667 × 70 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,050 total, 4 in this make and model, 1,050 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: BML, 11 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 20160616009379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160616009379A), Jun 16, 2016: Champion 7AC, Gorham, NH, Substantial damage. Pilot, with passenger (wife) depart Gorham municipal new hampshire airport (2G8) when aircraft lost power and crashed in a wooded area on northwest end of the… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 21, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93410. 4.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11760312&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Owners%206120%20Accident%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's original statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 467 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11759147&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation_FAA and pilot (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 130 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11758432&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation_FAA%20and%20Pilot-Rel.pdf - Airplane specifications (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 36 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11760157&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Airplane%20Performance%20Specifications-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 5, PDF, 4 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11758140&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Site%20and%20Damage%20Photographs-Rel.pdf - Carburetor icing probability chart (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 253 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11759546&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Carburetor%20Icing%20Probablity%20Chart-Rel.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.