# NTSB LAX87LA282: Champion 7ECA, N5144X, Rancho Calif, CA, July 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1987, 18:35 local (Jul 25, 1987, 01:35 UTC)
- Place: Rancho Calif, CA
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25650
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA282
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25650/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA282

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE LANDING ON RUNWAY 12, THE PLT LOST CONTROL OF THE CHAMPION 7ECA AND IT COLLIDED WITH THREE OTHER AIRCRAFT. ABOUT 31 MI NORTHWEST AT RIVERSIDE, CA, THE 1755 PDT WIND WAS FROM 290 DEG AT 9 KTS. A WITNESS AT THE AIRPORT ESTIMATED THE WIND WAS FROM 270 DEG AT 25 KNOTS. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5144X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5144X-1988-05-09), registration cancelled 1988-05-09, S/N 670 (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: 670
- Airframe hours: 1885
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lenair Aerobatic
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 13, 1987, 42 hours before
- Departed: SNA, SANTA ANA, CA
- Destination: 2L0
- Airport: 2LO, Rancho California, runway 12, 3,023 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 430 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIV, 31 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 19870724042649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870724042649A), Jul 24, 1987: Bbavia 7ECA, Rancho Californ, CA, Destroyed. Lost directional control landing in gusty winds. Veered off runway and struck 3 parked aircraft.

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.

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