# NTSB MIA86LA238: Champion 7KCAB, N1638G, Merritt Island, FL, August 17, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 17, 1986, 11:57 local (15:57 UTC)
- Place: Merritt Island, FL
- Coordinates: 28.320079, -80.68045 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3201&lon=-80.6804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31696
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA238
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31696/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA238

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - fuel system,pump - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - uncontrolled
- Ditching, landing

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE HE WAS TOWING A BANNER THE ENGINE LOST FUEL PRESSURE AND THE RPM BEGAN TO DETERIORATE. HE DROPPED HIS BANNER AND TRIED TO MAKE IT BACK TO THE AIRPORT BUT COULDN'T AND LANDED SHORT OF RUNWAY 29 IN THE WATER. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED THE ENGINE DRIVEN FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED CAUSING THE LOSS OF FUEL PRESSURE EXPERIENCED BY THE PILOT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1638G (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7KCAB
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 114
- Airframe hours: 2150
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Dennis Foldesi
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 5, 1986, 140 hours before
- Departed: COI, MERRITT ISLAND, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 586 total, 325 in this make and model, 504 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 30,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 79 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: COI

## 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 19860817079459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860817079459A), Aug 17, 1986: Bbavia 7KCAB, Merritt Island, FL, Substantial damage. The engine lost power during banner tow and the aircraft was ditched in the water. Engine driven fuel pump failed.

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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