# NTSB LAX83FVG13: Champion 7ECA, N1882G, Shingle Springs, CA, July 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1983, 15:47 local (22:47 UTC)
- Place: Shingle Springs, CA
- Coordinates: 38.609004, -120.969322 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6090&lon=-120.9693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23571
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FVG13
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23571/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FVG13

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH AN OAK TREE WHILE MANEUVERING AT LOW ALT. THE WEATHER WAS VMC. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS FLYING TO MAINTAIN A BATTERY CHARGE. HE SAID HE CLIMBED TO ABOUT 1600-1700 FT MSL AND FLEW SOUTHEAST. THE AVERAGE ELEVATION ALONG THIS ROUTE IS 1300 FT MSL. THE PILOT STATED THAT AS HE APPROACHED SHINGLE SPRINGS HIS ENGINE STARTED TO MISFIRE. HE TURNED TOWARD AN EMERGENCY LANDING AREA. DURING THE TURN HIS ENGINE REGAINED POWER SO HE CONTINUED THE TURN TO ROLL OUT ON HIS ORIGINAL HEADING. IT WAS DURING THIS LAST PORTION OF THE TURN THAT THE ACFT STRUCK A TREE & CRASHED WITNESSES SAID THEY SAW THE ACFT MAKE 2 COMPLETE CIRCLES OF THE AREA AT 200 FT AGL BEFORE THE COLLISION. THEY ALSO SAID HAD SEEN THIS ACFT CIRCLING THIS AREA ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1882G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1882G-2013-06-14), registration cancelled 2013-06-14, S/N 604, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7ECA
- Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 604
- Airframe hours: 2380
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Francis R. Hightower
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1982, 5 hours before
- Departed: 061, SHINGLE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,400 total, 18 in this make and model, 1,328 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830710029849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830710029849A), Jul 10, 1983: Bbavia 7ECA, Shingle Springs, CA, Destroyed. Witness observed aircraft flying low in area. Struck a tree and crashed. Had buzzed area prior. Possible bad magneto

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.