# NTSB NYC01LA119: Champion 7EC, N4737E, Monson, ME, May 10, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 10, 2001, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Monson, ME - Coordinates: 45.279689, -69.500045 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2797&lon=-69.5000&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 November 6, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-05 - NTSB case key (mKey): 52240 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC01LA119 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52240/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA119 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate aircraft preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during climb due to fuel contamination. ## 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 - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, descent - emergency - object - tree(s) ## Analysis Prior to the accident flight, the floatplane was in storage during the winter season. The pilot stated that during the preflight inspection, he check the fuel and oil quantity. However, he did not examine any fuel samples for contamination. The pilot started the engine, let it idle for approximately 10 minutes, and then departed the pond. During the climb, the engine lost all power, and the pilot performed a forced landing into trees. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed approximately 2 tablespoons of visible contamination in the gascolator. ## Factual narrative On May 10, 2001, about 1730 eastern daylight time, a Champion 7EC, N4737E, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Monson, Maine. The certificated student pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was equipped with floats. The student pilot stated that during the preflight inspection, he checked the fuel and oil quantity. However, he did not examine any fuel samples for contamination. The student pilot started the engine, and let it idle for approximately 10 minutes. He then circled Monson Pond twice and tookoff about 1730. During the climb, the engine lost all power, and he performed a forced landing into trees. During the impact, both wings folded aft, and the floats separated. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the wreckage. He stated that the accident flight was the first flight after winter. During the examination, the inspector observed approximately 2 tablespoons of "watery sludge" in the gascolator. The inspector added that the pilot held his student certificate for several years, but had no current endorsements from a flight instructor. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4737E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4737E-2012-03-06), registration cancelled 2012-03-06, S/N 7EC-82 (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-82 - Airframe hours: 2375 - Engines: Continental C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lloyd G. Kelley - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 10, 2000, 10 hours before - Departed: NONE, Monson, ME - Airport: NONE, Monson Pond ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 275 total, 250 in this make and model, 275 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: BGR, 25 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 20010510035129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010510035129A), May 10, 2001: Bbavia 7EC, Monson, ME, Substantial damage. (.4) On may 10, 2001, about 1730 eastern daylight time, a champion 7EC, N4737E, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Monson, Maine. The… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.