# NTSB FTW83LA135: Champion 7ECA, N6386N, Muskogee, OK, March 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 1, 1983, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Muskogee, OK
- Coordinates: 35.720439, -95.469528 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7204&lon=-95.4695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20822
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20822/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA135

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flt control syst,elevator control - movement restricted (cause)
  - control interference - inadvertent, passenger (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PASSENGER WAS IN THE BACK SEAT WITH A 35 MM CAMERA, A POCKET CAMERA, A PAIR OF BINOCULARS IN A CASE AND A WINDBREAKER. WHILE FLYING AT DUSK, THEY FLEW BY A HERD OF DEER, BUT THE PASSENGER DID NOT GET A PHOTOGRAPH. REPORTEDLY, THE PLT MADE A 180 DEG TURN & MADE A 2ND PASS TOWARD RISING TERRAIN. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS SLIGHTLY BELOW A CREST WHEN HE APPLIED BACK PRESSURE ON THE CONTROL STICK BUT THE STICK WOULD NOT MOVE AFT. HE BELIEVED THAT ONE OF THE PASSENGER'S CAMERAS BECAME WEDGED BETWEEN THE REAR SEAT & THE REAR CONTROL STICK. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE TOP OF ONE OF THE CAMERAS WAS DAMAGED. THE PASSENGER STATED THAT THE POCKET CAMERA 'MUST HAVE FALLEN OUT OF MY POCKET IN THE CRASH.' ACCORDING TO HIM, HE HEARD SCRAPING NOISES, WHICH HE BELIEVED WERE TREES HITTING THE ACFT; THEN SAW THE STICK COME BACK BEFORE THE NOISES BECAME LOUDER & HARDER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED BEYOND THE CREST. REPORTEDLY, THE PLT WAS UNCONSCIOUS & BLOCKED THE DOOR FOR A SHORT TIME AFTER THE ACFT CAME TO REST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6386N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6386N-1983-11-15), registration cancelled 1983-11-15, S/N 387 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7ECA
- Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 387
- Airframe hours: 2423
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Virgil M. Lagow
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,703 total, 1,062 in this make and model, 1,653 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point 16 °F

## 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 19830301011199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830301011199A), Mar 1, 1983: Bbavia 7ECA, Muskogee, OK, Substantial damage. Aircraft was involved in low level flight for aerial photography when it crashed into mountain.

## Other investigations on N6386N (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 FTW72DPD05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW72DPD05), Jul 29, 1972: Champion 7ECA (N6386N), Graford, TX, 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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