# NTSB LAX89LA033: Champion 7FC, N9874Y, Hesperia, CA, November 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 3, 1988, 14:46 local (22:46 UTC)
- Place: Hesperia, CA
- Coordinates: 34.360374, -117.319976 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3604&lon=-117.3200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26283
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26283/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA033

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES RPRTD THAT THE WINDS AT THE ARPT WERE OUT OF THE WEST AT ABOUT 20 KTS WITH PEAK GUSTS OF ABOUT 37 KTS. THEY STATED THE WIND SOCK WAS INDICATING A DIRECT X-WIND WITH RWY 3/21 & THAT THE PLT INITIATED HIS TAKEOFF ON RWY 21. WITNESSES RPRTD THAT DURING TAKEOFF, THE ACFT SETTLED BACK TO THE RWY SVRL TIMES BEFORE REMAINING AIRBORNE. RPRTDLY, THE ACFT DID NOT ATTAIN A POSITIVE RATE OF CLIMB. ACCORDING TO ONE WITNESS, THE ACFT'S LEFT WING DROPPED, THEN THE ACFT BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE GROUND. THE PLT ESTD THE ACFT WAS ABOUT 51 LBS OVER ITS APPROVED GROSS WT. DENSITY ALT WAS CALCULATED TO BE ABOUT 5700 FT. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT WAS RPRTD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9874Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9874Y-2013-03-21), registration cancelled 2013-03-21, S/N 7FC-431, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7FC
- Registry model: [Champion 7FC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7fc) (registry code 21101NX) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7FC-431
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fred Oliveri
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 3, 1988, 36 hours before
- Departed: L26
- Airport: L26, Hesperia Air Lodge, runway 21, 3,910 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 101 total, 25 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 20 knots, gusting 37
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19881103049069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881103049069A), Nov 3, 1988: Bbavia 7FC, Hesperia, CA, Substantial damage. Lost control and stalled on takeoff initial climb. Density altitude over gross weight and gusty crosswind factor.

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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