# NTSB FTW92LA174: Champion 7FC, N8942R, Paris, TX, June 30, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1992, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Paris, TX
- Location: 33.6609° N, 95.5555° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Paris, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6609&lon=-95.5555&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18527
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18527/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA174

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION POWER LOSS. FACTORS WERE A LOOSE FUEL CAP, INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel system,cap - loose (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

FOLLOWING A FUEL EXHAUSTION INDUCED TOTAL POWER LOSS, THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A MUDDY FIELD AND DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER TO THE INVERTED POSITION. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED A LEFT FUEL CAP THAT WAS LOOSE. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE DID NOT CHECK THE FUEL CAP PRIOR TO HIS DEPARTURE. AN EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT WING AND FUSELAGE REVEALED FUEL STAINS. SIX DAYS PRIOR TO THE POWER LOSS, A 100 HOUR MAINTENANCE INSPECTION INDICATED THE FUEL CAP HAD BEEN CHECKED. FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT, AN ENGINE TEST RUN THROUGHOUT THE POWER RANGES REVEALED NO ANOMALIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8942R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8942R), registered now, S/N 7FC-382, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7FC
- Registry model: [Champion 7FC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7fc) (registry code 21101NX) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7FC-382
- Airframe hours: 2839
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ward, Roger A.
- Registered owner: Ward, Roger A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 24, 1992, 3 hours before
- Departed: LIT, LITTLE ROCK, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,800 total, 3 in this make and model, 1,723 as pilot in command, 73 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TXK, 45 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 19920630022659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920630022659A), Jun 30, 1992: Bbavia 7FC, Paris, TX, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Nosed over on forced landing. Fuel tanks empty. Left wing fuel cap loose. Siphoned fuel.

## Other investigations on N8942R (2)

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 MIA67F0241](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA67F0241), Jul 8, 1966: Aeronca 7FC (N8942R), Destin, FL, substantial damage
- [NTSB UNK64X4116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X4116), Sep 23, 1964: Champion 7FC (N8942R), Milton, FL, 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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