# NTSB FTW95FA270: Champion 7ECA, N11064, Lake Dallas, TX, July 5, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report - Date: July 5, 1995, 15:58 local (20:58 UTC) - Place: Lake Dallas, TX - Coordinates: 33.120315, -97.019981 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1203&lon=-97.0200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 14, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19234 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95FA270 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19234/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95FA270 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - maintenance - inadequate, unknown (contributing factor) - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - failure (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11064-1995-11-15), registration cancelled 1995-11-15, S/N 65 (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: 65 - Airframe hours: 2465 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19950705015799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950705015799A), Jul 5, 1995: Bbavia 7ECA, Lake Dallas, TX, Substantial damage. Long takeoff run. Slow climbout. Engine sputtered over head. Banked stalled dived into lake. Cyl exhaust valve stuck 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.