# NTSB FTW90LA034: Champion 7ECA, N2553F, Shawnee, OK, November 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 25, 1989, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Shawnee, OK
- Location: 35.3273° N, 96.9253° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Shawnee, OK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3273&lon=-96.9253&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 July 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23079
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23079/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA034

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING THE TURN AFTER TAKEOFF, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL.  THE OBSTRUCTIONS (TREES) WERE A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF FROM A WHEAT FIELD INTO THE WIND.  HE STATED THAT BECAUSE OF TREES AT THE END OF THE TAKEOFF AREA, HE ENTERED A RIGHT TURN AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 90 FEET AGL. DURING THE TURN, THE AIRPLANE NOSED DOWN AND IMPACTED THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2553F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2553F-1990-10-10), registration cancelled 1990-10-10, S/N 108 (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: 108
- Airframe hours: 1975
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mccurdy, Ronald D.
- Registered owner: Crabtree Aircraft Co., Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 3, 1989, 25 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: GOK, GUTHRIE, OK
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 6,000 total, 560 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OKC, 35 nm away

## 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 19891125052449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891125052449A), Nov 25, 1989: Bbavia 7ECA, Shawnee, OK, Substantial damage. Took off from wheat field. Stalled out of climbing turn to avoid trees.

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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