# NTSB LAX90FA094: Champion 7KCAB, N5156T, Ojai, CA, February 19, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1990, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Ojai, CA
- Coordinates: 34.509304, -119.28955 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5093&lon=-119.2896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26616
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90FA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26616/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA094

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S PERFORMING AEROBATIC MANEUVERS AT A LOW ALTITUDE AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

A GROUND WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE PERFORMING A LOW LEVEL AEROBATIC MANEUVER, INVERTED FLIGHT ABOUT 50 FEET AGL. THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED DURING THE MANEUVER AND STRUCK HIGH VEGETATION IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE FOUND OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5156T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5156T-1990-08-27), registration cancelled 1990-08-27, S/N 9 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Champion 7KCAB
- Registry model: [Champion 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7kcab) (registry code 21101P3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 9
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Greska, Thomas F.
- Registered owner: Greska, Thomas F
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1989
- Departed: SZP, SANTA PAULA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 335 total, 256 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OXR, 12 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 19900219002279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900219002279A), Feb 19, 1990: Bbavia 7KCAB, Ojai, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Crashed into trees and burned near top of a mountain. Impacted trees in inverted flight during acrobatic maneuvers.

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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