# NTSB NYC06CA195: Champion 7KCAB, N7533F, Hyannis, MA, August 5, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 5, 2006, 12:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Hyannis, MA
- Coordinates: 41.638332, -70.276664
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6383&lon=-70.2767&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64275
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA195
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64275/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA195

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent total loss of engine power.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - starvation/exhaustion
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

According to the pilot of the Champion 7KCAB, he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane, and estimated the fuel level by observing the fuel gauges, checking the fuel computer, and "sticking [his] finger in the tank."  He did not visually check the amount of fuel in the fuel tanks.  The pilot then departed on a banner towing flight, and after 40 minutes of flight time the engine lost total power.  The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing to the water below, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane.  Examination of the fuel tanks after the airplane was recovered from the water revealed that the right tank was empty, and the left tank contained about 1/8 inch of liquid spread across the bottom of the tank.  Following the accident, the pilot learned that during the previous flight the fuel computer had been reset to indicate full fuel.  Following that flight, the airplane was not serviced with fuel.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot of the Champion 7KCAB, he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane, and estimated the fuel level by observing the fuel gauges, checking the fuel computer, and "sticking [his] finger in the tank."  He did not visually check the amount of fuel in the fuel tanks.  The pilot then departed on a banner towing flight, and after 40 minutes of flight time the engine lost total power.  The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing to the water below, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane.  Examination of the fuel tanks after the airplane was recovered from the water revealed that the right tank was empty, and the left tank contained about 1/8 inch of liquid spread across the bottom of the tank.  Following the accident, the pilot learned that during the previous flight the fuel computer had been reset the to indicate full fuel.  Following that flight, the airplane was not serviced with fuel.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7533F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7533F-2009-03-11), registration cancelled 2009-03-11, S/N 273-70, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Champion 7KCAB
- Registry model: [Champion 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7kcab) (registry code 21101P3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 273-70
- Engines: Lycoming IO-320 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Banner tow, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dylan Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PYM, Pylmouth, MA
- Destination: PYM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; flight hours: 1,140 total, 120 in this make and model, 177 in the last 90 days, 54 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20060805017709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060805017709A), Aug 5, 2006: Bbavia 7KCAB, Hyannis, MA, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 5, 2006, about 12:50 eastern standard time, aircraft N7533F, champion-7-kcab, owned and operated by the pilot [privacy data omitted], was…

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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