# NTSB NYC06LA070: Champion 7FC, N7694E, Dover-Foxcroft, ME, February 18, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 18, 2006, 10:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Dover-Foxcroft, ME - Coordinates: 44.694839, -69.382255 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6948&lon=-69.3823&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 May 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 63248 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06LA070 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63248/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06LA070 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to detect ice in the fuel system, resulting in a loss of engine power during takeoff-initial climb, and an in-flight collision with trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - ice (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - temperature,low - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - tree(s) ## Analysis As the airplane reached an altitude of approximately 1,000 feet above ground level after takeoff, the engine lost power. The pilot unsuccessfully attempted to restart the engine, and then made a forced landing. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted trees and then the ground. Examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies. The pilot reported to an FAA inspector that he removed the gascolator fuel bowl after the accident, and observed ice in the bottom. He also reported that he performed a complete preflight inspection prior to takeoff. ## Factual narrative On February 18, 2006, at 1015 eastern standard time, a Champion 7FC, N7694E, was substantially damaged, while executing a forced landing after takeoff from Charles A. Chase Jr. Memorial Field Airport (44B), Dover-Foxcroft, Maine. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, as the airplane reached an altitude of approximately 1,000 feet after takeoff from runway 27, the engine lost power. The pilot attempted, unsuccessfully, to restart the engine, then prepared for a forced landing. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted trees and then the ground. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed both fuel tanks were breached, however they were both one-forth full. The fuel was drained and no contamination was noted. The engine was rotated at the propeller flange and compression, and valve train continuity was confirmed on all cylinders. Examination of the carburetor revealed fuel in the accelerator pump, and the inlet screen contained no contamination. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that he removed the gascolator fuel bowl after the accident, and observed ice in the bottom. He also reported that he performed a complete preflight inspection prior to takeoff. The weather reported at Bangor International Airport (BGR), Bangor, Maine, at 0953, included winds from 270 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 16 knots, 10 miles visibility, broken clouds at 3,000 feet, overcast clouds at 4,000 feet, temperature 16 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point -2 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 29.89 inches Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7694E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7694E), registered now, S/N 7FC-289 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7FC - Registry model: [Champion 7FC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7fc) (registry code 21101NX) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7FC-289 - Airframe hours: 5460 - Engines: Continental C85-12 95 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Stephen Larrabee - Registered owner: Klaus Thalinger - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2005 - Departed: 44B, Dover-Foxcroft, ME - Destination: NONE, Ornville, ME - Airport: 44B, Charles Chase Jr. Memorial ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2005; seat: front; flight hours: 245 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 11 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken - Temperature: 16 °F, dew point -2 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: BGR, 29 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 20060218002299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060218002299A), Feb 18, 2006: Bbavia 7FC, Dover-Foxcroft, ME, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot reported that after takeoff and on climb at approximately 1,000 to 1100 feet altitude, the engine quit. The pilot stated that several attempts to… ## Other investigations on N7694E (3) 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 IAD98LA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA080), Jul 19, 1998: Aeronca 7FC (N7694E), Somesville, ME, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate planning and decision, which fail to consider the effect of takeoff in the direction of the sunlight, which resulted in the pilot encountering sunglare and the loss of aircraft… - [NTSB CHI72DCA03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI72DCA03), Mar 19, 1972: Champion 7FC (N7694E), Columbia, IL, substantial damage - [NTSB CHI71DEE68](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71DEE68), Apr 4, 1971: Champion 7FC (N7694E), Joliet, IL, 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. --- 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.