# NTSB MIA84LA245: Champion 7FC, N7580E, Fort Drum, FL, September 1, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1984, 16:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Fort Drum, FL
- Coordinates: 26.5295, -80.189521 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5295&lon=-80.1895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31187
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84LA245
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31187/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84LA245

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - water (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE AND THE GROUND AFTER A LOSS OF POWER DURING TAKEOFF. THE PLT WAS NOT CERTIFICATED. THE PASSENGER SAID THAT THE PLT ATTRIBUTED THE POWER LOSS TO WATER IN THE FUEL. THE ACFT WAS BEING OPERATED ON AUTOMOBILE FUEL. ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT THE PLT HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. IN A LETTER TO FAA THE PLT SAID HE WAS USING AUTOMOTIBLE GAS AND HAD DRAINED 8 CUPS OF WATER DURING PRE-FLT. THE CARBURETOR 'SETTLEMENT BULB' STILL CONTAINED BEADS OF WATER WHEN OBSERVED DURING PRE-FLT BY THE PLT. THE PLT ALSO STATED IN THE LETTER THAT HIS ATP CERTIFICATE WAS SUSPENDED BECAUSE OF A MEDICAL PROBLEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7580E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7580E), registered now, S/N 7FC-268, built 1958 (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-268
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Douglas F. Sweet
- Registered owner: Kathleen K. Sweet
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB, 25 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 19840901045659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840901045659A), Sep 1, 1984: Bbavia 7FC, Ft Drum, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit after takeoff, aircraft struck wires. Pilot had refueled with auto gas, drained eight cups of water.

## Other investigations on N7580E (2)

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.

- [NTSB IAD79DKW19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD79DKW19), Jul 28, 1979: Champion 7FC (N7580E), Whitebluff, TN, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC66F0232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC66F0232), Sep 26, 1965: Champion 7FC (N7580E), Bonner Sprgs, KS, substantial damage

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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