# NTSB FTW82DA183: Champion 7EC, N7477B, Southlake, TX, May 19, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1982, 18:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Southlake, TX
- Coordinates: 32.929512, -97.069267 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9295&lon=-97.0693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 19, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72654
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72654/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA183

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - equipment,other - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (cause)

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF, THE PRIVATE PILOT SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT, THOUGHT THE COWLING WAS LOOSE. THE PILOT INFORMED THE OWNER AND COMMERCIAL PILOT IN THE REAR SEAT WHO TOOK CONTROL AND DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND THE MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE SUSPECTED LOOSE COWLING WAS A PIECE OF RUBBER IN THE AIR INTAKE TO KEEP OUT BIRDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7477B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7477B), registered now, S/N 7EC-535 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7EC
- Registry model: [Champion 7EC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ec) (registry code 21101NM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7EC-535
- Airframe hours: 2390
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Larry Wassell
- Registered owner: Larry Wassell
- Departed: SOUTHLAKE, TX
- Destination: SOUTHLAKE, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,320 total, 170 in this make and model, 3,110 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots

## 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 19820519017529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820519017529A), May 19, 1982: Bbavia 7EC, Southlake, TX, Substantial damage. Believed cowling loose,closed throttle, crash landed short of runway returning. Had failed to remove engine plugs.

## Other investigations on N7477B (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 MIA69D0168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA69D0168), Sep 23, 1968: Aeronca 7EC (N7477B), St.Thomas, VI, 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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