# NTSB MIA91LA156: Champion 7ECA, N9646S, Quincy, FL, May 31, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1991, 13:40 local (17:40 UTC)
- Place: Quincy, FL
- Coordinates: 30.580734, -84.579505 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5807&lon=-84.5795&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 March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32880
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32880/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA156

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION AND THE BLOCKED VENT LINE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE ENGINE LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND THE AIRPLANE CRASHED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THE FUEL TANK VENT LINE WAS CLOGGED WITH AN INSECT NEST. NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OF THE ENGINE OR AIRFRAME WERE FOUND. CHECKING THE FUEL VENT LINE FOR OBSTRUCTION IS AN ITEM ON THE PREFLIGHT CHECKLIST WHICH IS CONTAINED IN SECTION III, NORMAL OPERATING PROCEDURES, IN THE AIRCRAFT'S OPERATING MANUAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9646S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9646S-2013-06-14), registration cancelled 2013-06-14, S/N 393, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7ECA
- Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 393
- Airframe hours: 3736
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Blaine S. Blount
- Registered owner: John R. Hudson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 1991, 30 hours before
- Destination: 0J9, BLOUNTSTOWN, FL
- Airport: 2J9, Quincy Municipal, runway 32, 3,000 × 75 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 153 total, 37 in this make and model, 125 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TLH, 16 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 19910531018799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910531018799A), May 31, 1991: Bbavia 7ECA, Quincy, FL, Destroyed. Lost power on climbout. Tried to turn back. Hit wing down short of runway. Dirt daubers had blocked fuel tank vent.

## Other investigations on N9646S (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 MIA68A0086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA68A0086), Apr 13, 1968: Champion 7ECA (N9646S), Pascagoula, MS, substantial damage, 1 fatal

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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