# NTSB MKC87FA103: Champion 7EC, N7556E, Delia, KS, May 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1987, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Delia, KS
- Coordinates: 39.229156, -95.960914 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2292&lon=-95.9609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34291
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87FA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34291/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87FA103

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, maneuvering
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - climb - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft performance - exceeded (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS PERFORMING HIGH SPEED, LOW LEVEL PASSES OVER THE HOMES OF SOME FRIENDS AND RELATIVES WHEN, SUDDENLY, IT STARTED A STEEP CLIMB OVER A TREE LINE. THE AIRCRAFT APPEARED TO SLOW DOWN AT THE TOP OF THE CLIMB; THEN IT LEVELED OFF BRIEFLY BEFORE PLUMMETING, NOSE-FIRST, TO THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT BURST INTO FLAMES SHORTLY AFTER IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS OF AN IN-FLIGHT FAILURE/SEPARATION, AND A SUBSEQUENT ENGINE TEARDOWN INSPECTION DID NOT REVEAL ANY KIND OF POWERPLANT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7556E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7556E-1989-06-30), registration cancelled 1989-06-30, S/N 7EC675 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7EC
- Registry model: [Champion 7EC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ec) (registry code 21101NM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7EC675
- Airframe hours: 1350
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Delone L. Bennett
- Registered owner: Bennett, Delone L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1987, 10 hours before
- Departed: 3KS1, TOPEKA, KS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 530 total, 35 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TOP, 18 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 19870509014119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870509014119A), May 9, 1987: Bbavia 7EC, Delia, KS, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Stalled and crashed on pullup from buzzing friends residence. Aircraft burned.

## Other investigations on N7556E (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 CHI66F0039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI66F0039), Jun 7, 1965: Aeronca 7AC (N7556E), Water Valley, KY, 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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