# NTSB FTW92LA168: Champion 7ECA-326, N71528, Clifton, TX, June 18, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1992, 20:30 local (Jun 18, 1992, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Clifton, TX
- Coordinates: 31.779014, -97.579841 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7790&lon=-97.5798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18522
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18522/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA168

## Probable cause

THE INADVERTENT STALL BY THE PILOT. FACTORS WERE THE INADEQUATE ALTITUDE AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN TYPE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PERFORMING LOW ALTITUDE AGRICULTURAL MANEUVERS OVER AN OPEN FIELD AND STALLED THE AIRPLANE. IT DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL AND IMPACTED TREES AND THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT HAD A TOTAL OF FOUR HOURS IN THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N71528](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N71528), registered now, S/N 7ECA-326 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7ECA-326
- 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: 326
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Little, John L.
- Registered owner: Little, John L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 1900
- Departed: 7F7

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 369 total, 4 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °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 19920617026799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920617026799A), Jun 17, 1992: Bbavia 7ECA, Clifton, TX, Substantial damage. Stalled during turn around on practice crop dusting maneuvers. Struck trees. 7ECA underpowered for type activity.

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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