# NTSB FTW91LA163: Champion 7-GCB, N9908Y, Frankston, TX, September 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1991, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Frankston, TX
- Coordinates: 32.050865, -95.500801 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0509&lon=-95.5008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 uninjured; on the ground: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23399
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23399/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA163

## Probable cause

THE GROUND PERSON DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE VERBAL INSTRUCTIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing - engine(s) operating
  - instructions,written/verbal - not understood, other person (cause)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT ASKED A FRIEND TO HELP PUSH THE FLOAT PLANE FROM THE SHORELINE BY THE RIGHT WING TIP. A STUDENT PILOT WAS ONBOARD THE AIRCRAFT AND THE ENGINE WAS OPERATING. THE GROUND PERSON FIRST PUSHED ON THE RIGHT STRUT THEN ON THE RIGHT FLOAT. THE INSTRUCTOR YELLED AT HIM NOT TO PUSH AT THOSE LOCATIONS. HE THEN SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, BUT BEFORE THE PROPELLER STOPPED, THE GROUND PERSON LIFTED HIS HEAD AND WAS STRUCK BY A BLADE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9908Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9908Y), registered now, S/N 122, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7-GCB
- Registry model: [Champion AERONCA 7GCB](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-aeronca-7gcb) (registry code 2110168) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 122
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Danny L. Duggan
- Registered owner: Danny L. Duggan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 17,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 34 °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 19910920042019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910920042019A), Sep 20, 1991: Bbavia 7GCB, Frankston, TX, 1 fatal. Victim was struck by prop while trying to aid by pushing floatplane from dock. Was advised push wing tip not float.

## Other investigations on N9908Y (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 MIA96FA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96FA185), Jul 15, 1996: Champion Aeronca 7GCB (N9908Y), Fairhope, AL, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while manuevering at low altitude, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled impact with the water. The pilot's ostentatious display…

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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