- Date
- July 5, 1995, 15:58 local (20:58 UTC)
- Place
- Lake Dallas, TX
- Injuries
- 1 serious, 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N11064Champion 7ECA
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report February 14, 1996
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19950705015799A
- Case key
- 19234
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and the resulting inadvertent stall/spin. A factor was inadequate maintenance resulting in the partial loss of engine power due to the number one cylinder exhaust valve being stuck open.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot performed an engine runup before takeoff on runway 17. According to a witness, the airplane 'used approximately 2,000 feet of runway to become airborne.' Another witness observed the aircraft's departure and reported that it 'appeared to be under powered and slow.' Another witness reported that the plane passed overhead and 'I heard the engine sputter.' He further observed 'I saw the plane bank up and to the east; the engine sputtered twice again and the plane stalled out spiralling down into the water.' An examination of the engine revealed that the number one cylinder exhaust valve was stuck in the open position due to carbon buildup on the valve guide.
Factual narrative
History of flight
On July 5, 1995, at 1558 central daylight time, a Champion 7ECA, N11064, was destroyed while maneuvering near Lake Dallas, Texas. The private pilot was seriously injured and his passenger sustained minor injuries. The aircraft was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Lakeview Airport near Lake Dallas, Texas, at approximately 1557. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight and a flight plan was not filed.
According to a witness, the pilot performed an engine runup before takeoff from runway 17. Another witness observed the aircraft on departure and reported that it "appeared to be under powered and slow." Another witness reported that the plane passed overhead and "I heard the engine sputter." He further observed "I saw the plane bank up and to the east; the engine sputtered twice again and the plane stalled out spiralling down into the water."
Aircraft information
According to a witness, the airplane "used approximately 2,000 feet of runway to become airborne." Under standard conditions, it was calculated by the investigator-in-charge, this aircraft should be airborne in 450 feet. The calculated density altitude was 3,000 feet. This would give an adjusted calculated takeoff-roll of 787 feet.
The airplane's maintenance log books were in aircraft at the time of the accident and were subsequently lost in the lake. The pilot/owner did report to the investigator-in-charge in a telephone interview that approximately a year before the accident, that the engine had experienced a "stuck" valve and he had a mechanic "stake" the valve to break it loss. No further maintenance was performed on the engine in regards to this valve problem.
Wreckage and impact information
The airplane came to rest in Lewisville Lake approximately 15 feet from the shore of an island (part of Willow Grove Park), in 3 feet of water. The left wing had been separated from the aircraft and the fuselage had been broken in several places. Examination of the engine revealed that the exhaust valve for the number one cylinder was stuck in the open position.
Tests and research
The cylinder was removed and sent to the engine manufactures factory for further evaluation (see enclosed Analytical Inspection Report).
Additional data
The airplane was released to the owner.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N11064
- Reported as
- Champion 7ECA
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 65
- Airframe hours
- 2,465
- Engine
- Continental O-200-A, 100 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Walter A. Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection
- Annual · March 15, 1995
- Departed
- 3OF
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 66
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Front
- Flight hours
- 310 total · 300 in this make and model · 265 as pilot in command · 24 in the last 90 days · 11 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 210° at 4 knots
- Visibility
- 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 91 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- DAL, 15 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.