# NTSB FTW74FRA16: Champion 7KCAB, N5281X, Friendswood, TX, September 27, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: September 27, 1973
- Place: Friendswood, TX · FRIENDSWOOD, TX
- Location: 29.5077° N, 95.2006° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Friendswood, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5077&lon=-95.2006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 29, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 188560
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW74FRA16
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74FRA16

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2793  73/9/27    FRIENDSWOOD,TEX     CHAMPION 7KCAB      CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 22, 327
        TIME - 1600                    N5281X              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL ADVERTISING        TOTAL HOURS, 2 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CLOVER FIELD
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HOUSTON,TEX                 FRIENDSWOOD,TEX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO USE OR INCORRECTLY USED MISC.EQUIPMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - INTERFERENCE WITH FLIGHT CONTROLS
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DISREGARD OF GOOD OPERATING PRACTICE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING ON AIRPORT/SEAPLANE BASE/HELIPT.
                                  LATERAL CONTROL PROBLEM
                                  DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PROBLEM
        REMARKS- PLT FED TOW CABLE FRM COCKPIT DOOR,FOULED IN TAILWHEEL STEERING HORN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5281X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5281X-2012-08-14), registration cancelled 2012-08-14, S/N 220, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7KCAB
- Registry model: [Champion 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7kcab) (registry code 21101P3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Clover Field

## 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 19730927031339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730927031339A), Sep 27, 1973: Blanca 7KCAB, Friendswood, TX, Substantial damage. Plt fed tow cable frm cockpit door,fouled in tailwheel steering horn.

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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