# NTSB MKC89FA055: Champion 7EC, N7596E, Luxemburg, MN, January 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 21, 1989, 13:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Luxemburg, MN
- Coordinates: 45.549816, -94.170738 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5498&lon=-94.1707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34671
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89FA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34671/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89FA055

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL AND LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL. THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBSERVE WEIGHT AND BALANCE LIMITATIONS OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - snow covered

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING THE AIRCRAFT CIRCLING AT A VERY LOW ALTITUDE PRIOR TO IT DESCENDING RAPIDLY TO COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PILOT HAD EXCEEDED WEIGHT AND BALANCE PARAMETERS IN THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS OVER THE ALLOWABLE TAKEOFF WEIGHT AND EXCEEDED THE AFT CENTER OF GRAVITY LIMITS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7596E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7596E-1989-05-11), registration cancelled 1989-05-11, S/N 7EC-681 (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: 7EC-681
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald R Pfannenstein
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 1988

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,444 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: STC, 28 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 19890121000969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890121000969A), Jan 21, 1989: Bbavia 7EC, Luxemburg, MN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Wreckage indicates a stall crash. Was observed circling low over frozen lake. Was over gross and aft of CG.

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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