# NTSB MKC87FA033: Champion 7ECA, N2674G, Cambridge, NE, December 21, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 21, 1986, 16:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Cambridge, NE
- Coordinates: 40.279239, -100.170806 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2792&lon=-100.1708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34275
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87FA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34275/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87FA033

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - total, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE LOW TIME PIC HAD BEEN FLYING HIS ACFT OVER THE FARM LAND IN SEARCH OF COYOTES. SEVERAL OF THE GRD CREW HAD FLOWN AS PSNGRS WITH HIM DURING THE TIME PERIOD OF THIS SEARCH. WITNESSES STATED THAT THEY SAW THE ACFT TURN LEFT AND RIGHT AS IT WAS SPOTTING THE ANIMALS. ONE WITNESS INDICATED THAT HE SAW THE ACFT TURN LEFT AND PITCH UP AND DESCEND INTO THE GND IN AN ATTEMPT TO SPOT AN ANIMAL. THE ACFT HAD BEEN FLOWN AT LOW ALTITUDE DURING THE SPOTTING. NO STRUCTURAL FAILURE WAS NOTED DURING THE INSPECTION OF THE ACFT AND CONTROL CONTINUUTY WAS CONFIRMED. THE ACFT ENGINE WAS RUNNING DURING THE IMPACT, AND THE PROPELLER BOLTS SHOWED SEPARATION FM THE MOUNTING FLANGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2674G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2674G-1988-10-06), registration cancelled 1988-10-06, S/N 464 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7ECA
- Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 464
- Airframe hours: 816
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lg & Jp Klinkebiel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 26, 1986, 23 hours before
- Departed: CAMBRIDGE, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 103 total, 80 in this make and model, 65 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F

## 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 19861221068449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861221068449A), Dec 21, 1986: Bbavia 7ECA, Cambridge, NE, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. The aircraft stalled and struck the ground from low altitude. Low time pilot was spotting coyotes for hunters.

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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