# NTSB FTW98LA409: Champion 7EC, N9098B, Catoosa, OK, September 26, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 26, 1998, 08:53 local (13:53 UTC) - Place: Catoosa, OK - Coordinates: 36.18016, -95.760841 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1802&lon=-95.7608&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 44032 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA409 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44032/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA409 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane resulting in an inadvertent stall. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ostentatious display, pilot in command - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis According to law enforcement personnel who responded to the accident site, the airplane 'stalled and crashed while simulating aerial application maneuvers over a soy bean field.' The 40 year old pilot, who was occupying the front seat of the airplane, told the ambulance attendant that the airplane 'entered a spin and he was unable to recover due to the airplane's low altitude.' Law enforcement personnel reported that the airplane impacted the ground in a right turn in a nose low attitude. The 265 hour pilot graduated from the operator's agricultural pilot training course 8 months prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On September 26, 1998, at 0853 central daylight time, a Champion 7EC tailwheel equipped airplane, N9098B, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while maneuvering near Catoosa, Oklahoma. The private pilot and his passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was owned and operated by the Sam Riggs Flying Service, Inc., of Claremore, Oklahoma, under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for local flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight originated from the Sam Riggs Airpark (K11) near Claremore, Oklahoma, at approximately 0800. The operator reported that the pilot attended his school's agricultural pilot training course from December 1997 through January 1998. The pilot asked to rent the airplane to maintain his proficiency in tailwheel equipped airplanes. The 265 hour pilot told the operator at the time of the rental that he would be taking the airplane for an hour and a half. The operator added that he was under the impression that the pilot was going to take his passenger for breakfast somewhere in the local flying area. According to law enforcement personnel who responded to the accident site, the airplane "stalled and crashed while simulating aerial application maneuvers over a soy bean field." The 40 year old pilot, who was occupying the front seat, told the ambulance attendant that the airplane "entered a spin and he was unable to recover due to the airplane's low altitude." Law enforcement personnel reported that the airplane impacted the ground in a right turn in a nose low attitude. The right main landing gear and the right wing sustained structural damage. Fuel was found leaking from the fuel cell; however, there was no fire. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9098B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9098B-2013-05-08), registration cancelled 2013-05-08, S/N 7EC-638 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7EC - Registry model: [Champion 7EC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ec) (registry code 21101NM) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7EC-638 - Airframe hours: 2744 - Engines: Continental C-90-16F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sam Riggs - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 11, 1998, 6 hours before - Departed: K11 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 265 total, 38 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: TUL, 17 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 19980926032109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980926032109A), Sep 26, 1998: Bbavia 7EC, Catoosa, OK, Substantial damage. (.4) On September 26, 1998, at 0853 central daylight time, a champion 7EC tailwheel equipped airplane, N9098B, was substantially damaged following a loss of… ## Other investigations on N9098B (1) 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 OAK67D0030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK67D0030), Jul 14, 1966: Aeronca 7EC (N9098B), San Francisco, CA, 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. --- 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.