# NTSB FTW87FA152: Champion 7ECA, N2500F, Monahans, TX, June 27, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1987, 17:40 local (22:40 UTC)
- Place: Monahans, TX
- Coordinates: 31.539119, -102.839225 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5391&lon=-102.8392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22255
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22255/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA152

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - level off - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED THAT UPON DEPARTURE THE PILOT PULLED THE AIRCRAFT UP ABRUPTLY AND ROLLED INTO A VERY STEEP RIGHT CLIMBING TURN. AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES THE PILOT RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS ALONG HIS PORPOSED ROUTE OF FLIGHT. OVER THE AIRPORT HE PULLED THE AIRCRAFT INTO A VERTICAL CLIMB AND ENTERED A HAMMERHEAD STALL AT AN EST ALT OF 200-400 FT AGL. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO DESCEND INTO THE GROUND IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF PHYSICAL OR MECHANICAL PROBLEMS AND WEATHER WAS NOT INVOLVED AS A CAUSAL FACTORS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2500F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2500F-2012-08-21), registration cancelled 2012-08-21, S/N 7ECA-135, 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: 135
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William R. Gruetter
- Registered owner: F.E. Green
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: E01, MONAHANS, TX
- Airport: E01, Roy Hurd Memorial, runway 12, 4,270 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 526 total, 23 in this make and model, 387 as pilot in command, 108 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19870627027329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870627027329A), Jun 27, 1987: Bbavia 7ECA, Monahans, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft impacted the ground after performing a hammerhead maneuver over the airport at a low altitude.

## Other investigations on N2500F (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 MIA70D0227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA70D0227), Nov 11, 1969: Champion 7ECA (N2500F), St George, SC, 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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