# NTSB ERA24LA359: Champion 7ECA, N9580S, Sussex, NJ, August 27, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 27, 2024, 19:07 local (23:07 UTC) - Place: Sussex, NJ · 1 mile shot of airport in trees - Coordinates: 41.211391, -74.602366 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2114&lon=-74.6024&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 195013 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA359 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195013/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195013 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA359 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to properly secure the left wing fuel cap, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7ECA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel storage](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7ECA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810/cases.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 60 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Champion 7ECA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7ECA, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Champion 7ECA, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Champion 7ECA, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was transporting the airplane from during a multi-leg trip and was on the second to last day of the trip. Prior to departure, he purchased fuel from a self-service pump and topped off both wing fuel tanks and checked that each fuel cap was properly secured. He calculated he had enough fuel for the 3.5 hour flight, plus a 40 to 50 minutes reserve, and departed. About 3 hrs. and 16 minutes into the flight, the engine lost total power. The pilot attempted to reach a nearby airport but made a forced landing about a mile short of the runway in trees, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane’s right wing and tail section. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the left wing fuel cap was missing, and fuel streaks were observed aft of the cap toward the trailing edge of the wing. The left wing fuel tank was intact and empty of fuel. The right wing fuel cap was secure, and the tank was absent of fuel. The pilot stated that he did not have any issues with the fuel cap properly securing prior to the accident flight. The left fuel cap was never located. Based on available information, it is likely that the cap was not properly installed, and that it separated from the airplane at some point during the flight. Fuel was subsequently siphoned from the tank(s), and as a result, the engine lost power sooner than the pilot calculated due to fuel exhaustion. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9580S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9580S), registered now, S/N 30, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7ECA - Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 30 - Year built: 1965 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 8W2, New Market, VA - Destination: SWF, New York, NY - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 95 total, 87 in this make and model, 51 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KFWN, 1 nm away - METAR: KFWN 272253Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 27/21 A3004 RMK AO2 SLP170 T02670206 ## 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 20240827012179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240827012179A), Aug 27, 2024: Champion 7ECA, Sussex, NJ, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed into trees between an apartment complex and shopping center located at 70-72 east main street Sussex, NJ 07461. No injuries to persons on… ## Other investigations on N9580S (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 SEA83LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA199), Sep 11, 1983: Bellanca Gcbc (N9580S), Spokane, WA, substantial damage ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 19, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195013. 8.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 7.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17965063&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Final%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Written statement - pilot (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17959613&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Written%20Statement%20-%20Pilot-Rel.pdf - NTSB mor - pilot (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17959732&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20MOR%20-%20Pilot-Rel.pdf - NTSB mor - FAA (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17959917&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20MOR%20-%20FAA-Rel.pdf - Investigation photos (item 5, PDF, 6 pages, 5 photos, 969 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17959378&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photos-Rel.pdf - Fuel receipt (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 45 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18054191&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Last%20Fuel%20Receipt_Redacted-Rel-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.