# NTSB MIA88LA062: Champion 7EC, N4387C, Ocoee, FL, December 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 12, 1987, 11:58 local (16:58 UTC)
- Place: Ocoee, FL
- Location: 28.5788° N, 81.5330° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ocoee, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5788&lon=-81.5330&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32110
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32110/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA062

## 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 (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT BEFORE TAKEOFF, HE MADE A THOROUGH PREFLT, WHICH INCLUDED A CHECK OF THE FUEL SYS FOR CONTAMINATES & WATER, BUT NO DISCREPANCIES WERE NOTED. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT AN ALT OF APRX 100 FT, THE ENG SPUTTERED & LOST PWR. THE PLT STATED HE MADE A LEFT TURN TO LAND IN A CLEARING, BUT THE MAIN GEAR HIT A PILE OF DIRT. LATER, AN EXAM OF THE CARBURETOR REVEALED THAT IT CONTAINED WATER. THE PLT STATED THAT DRG THE PREFLT, HE ROCKED THE WINGS OF THE ACFT BEFORE DRAINING FUEL SAMPLE & POSSIBLY DID NOT ALLOW ENOUGH TIME FOR ADNL WATER TO ACCUMULATE. THE PLT WAS TAKEN TO A MEDICAL CENTER & TREATED FOR MINOR INJURIES. A CHECK OF HIS BLOOD SHOWED A VERY LOW LVL OF ALCOHOL (0.0074%). THE LAST ANNUAL INSPN OF THE ACFT WAS DATED 7/3/86.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4387C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4387C), registered now, S/N 7EC-416, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7EC
- Registry model: [Champion 7EC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ec) (registry code 21101NM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7EC416
- Airframe hours: 3471
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pearlman, David
- Registered owner: David Pearlman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 3, 1986, 20 hours before
- Airport: X30, Orlando West, runway 36, 2,430 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,512 total, 200 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORL, 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 19871212070169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871212070169A), Dec 12, 1987: Bbavia 7EC, Ocoee, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Crash landed. Water in fuel. Aircraft annual expired. Pilot drank alcohol prior to flight.

## Other investigations on N4387C (1)

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 MIA06LA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA06LA068), Mar 19, 2006: Champion 7EC (N4387C), Zellwood, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of directional control due to the spring connecting the rudder to the tailwheel horn being detached.

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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