# NTSB FTW92LA221: Champion 7ECA, N11080, Angel Fire, NM, August 31, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1992, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Angel Fire, NM
- Coordinates: 36.390434, -105.269233 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3904&lon=-105.2692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18564
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA221
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18564/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA221

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE EVALUATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN EXCEEDING THE CLIMB CAPABILITY OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE INADVERTENT STALL WAS ALSO A CAUSE. FACTORS WERE THE DOWNDRAFT AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

## 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
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - initiated, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF WITH A COMPUTED DENSITY ALTITUDE OF 9,500 FEET THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AT APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET AGL THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT MAINTAIN THE PROPER CLIMB RATE AND WAS IN A DOWNDRAFT. DURING THE ABORTED TAKEOFF THE AIRPLANE ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT WHEN THE PILOT STALLED THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST IN THE INVERTED POSITION OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPORT IS LOCATED IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND GUSTY WINDS PREVAILED IN THE AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11080](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11080-1998-04-02), registration cancelled 1998-04-02, S/N 162 (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: 162
- Airframe hours: 3338
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Zugel, Kenneth R.
- Registered owner: Hudnall, Richard M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 27, 1992, 21 hours before
- Departed: AXX
- Destination: GUP, GALLUP, NM
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: AXX, Angel Fire, runway 17, 8,900 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,472 total, 60 in this make and model, 1,417 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 9 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SKX, 32 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 19920831034159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920831034159A), Aug 31, 1992: Bbavia 7ECA, Angel Fire, NM, Substantial damage. Initial climb 150FPM attemped to abort. Stalled. Crashed to left of runway came to rest inverted.

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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