# NTSB LAX87LA333: Aeronca Champ 7AC, N85022, Victorville, CA, September 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1987, 15:35 local (22:35 UTC)
- Place: Victorville, CA
- Coordinates: 34.490139, -117.360603 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4901&lon=-117.3606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25687
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA333
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25687/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA333

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, climb - to cruise
  - light condition - daylight
  - visual lookout - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - excessive, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE CLIMBING OUT OVER A RIDGE, THE INSTRUCTOR, WHO WAS SITTING IN BACK, HEARD HIS STUDENT YELL SOMETHING. THE INSTRUCTOR LOOKED OUT THE FRONT WINDSCREEN JUST IN TIME TO SEE POWERLINES. SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE STUDENT PUSHED THE STICK FORWARD TO GO UNDER THE POWER LINES AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THIS INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED BY THE INSTRUCTOR. THE STUDENT CANNOT REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS REPORTED. WINDS WERE REPORTED TO BE FROM 250 AT 5 KNOTS AT THE TIME AND THE INSTRUCTOR SAID THAT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT WEATHER WAS NOT A PROBLEM. HOWEVER, AS THEY WERE CLIMBING OUT OVER THE RIDGE, THE INSTRUCTOR THOUGHT HE FELT THE AIRCRAFT SINKING FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85022](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N85022-1988-08-22), registration cancelled 1988-08-22, S/N 7AC3747 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA CHAMP 7AC
- Registry model: [Champion 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ac) (registry code 21101MA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC-3747
- Airframe hours: 3684
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Midfield Aviation
- Registered owner: Donald J. Leary
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 13, 1987, 30 hours before
- Departed: APV, APPLE VALLEY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,670 total, 37 in this make and model, 1,545 as pilot in command, 506 in the last 90 days, 194 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Observed at: VCV, 11 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 19870911051809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870911051809A), Sep 11, 1987: Bbavia 7AC, Victorville, CA, Substantial damage. The second pilot panicked and nosed the aircraft to the ground. Downdrafts were encountered crossing a ridge.

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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