# NTSB NYC81FA072: Champion 7ECA, N9001L, West Middlesex, PA, July 6, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 6, 1981
- Place: West Middlesex, PA · WEST MIDDLESEX, PA
- Location: 41.1742° N, 80.4555° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of West Middlesex, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1742&lon=-80.4555&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 124097
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC81FA072
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81FA072

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2960   81/7/6    WEST MIDDLESEX,PA   CHAMPION 7ECA       CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 21, 307
        TIME - 1020                    N9001L              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 80 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - WEST MIDDLESEX
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WEST MIDDLESEX,PA           COLUMBUS,OH
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLIDED WITH: AUTOMOBILE                                LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           POWERPLANT - IGNITION SYSTEM: SPARK PLUG
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - EXCESSIVE-WEAR/PLAY
           POWERPLANT - LUBRICATING SYSTEM: FILTERS,SCREEN
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - BURST
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OBSTRUCTED
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- SPARK PLUGS WORN,7 DID NOT FIRE WHEN TESTED W 80PSI PRES.OIL SCREEN RUPTURED,50% CVRD,UNK PRTCLS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9001L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9001L-1982-03-23), registration cancelled 1982-03-23, S/N 753-70 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7ECA
- Registry model: [Champion 7EC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ec) (registry code 21101NM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: West Middlesex

## 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 19810706038429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810706038429A), Jul 6, 1981: Bbavia 7ECA, West Middlesex, PA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Indicates pilot tried to return due to low engine power from bad spark plugs and visibility. Struck moving vehicle.

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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