# NTSB LAX85LA054: Champion 7ECA, N5236X, Pt Mugu, CA, November 30, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 30, 1984, 14:11 local (22:11 UTC)
- Place: Pt Mugu, CA
- Coordinates: 34.10902, -119.110473 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1090&lon=-119.1105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24599
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24599/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA054

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - engine assembly - undetermined (cause)
- Ditching, landing
- Forced landing, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ENGINE QUIT ONCE, STARTED RUNNING AGAIN, THEN QUIT A SECOND TIME AND HE DITCHED IN THE OCEAN. HE REPORTED THAT HE DEPARTED WITH FULL FUEL TANKS AND THAT HE FLEW FOR 3 HOURS 45 MINUTES BEFORE THE ENGINE QUIT. THE WRECKAGE WAS NOT EXAMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5236X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5236X-1988-04-06), registration cancelled 1988-04-06, S/N 699 (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: 699
- Airframe hours: 3200
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas Loe
- Registered owner: Bonny M. Lewis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1984
- Departed: CAMARILLO, CA
- Destination: UNKNOWN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 265 total, 25 in this make and model, 225 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OXR

## 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 19841130064209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841130064209A), Nov 30, 1984: Bbavia 7ECA, Point Mugu, CA, Destroyed. Ditched in ocean after engine quit. Airplane sank and pilot swam to shore. Cause of engine failure undetermined.

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.