# NTSB NYC82FA203: Champion 7ECA, N1886G, Lewes, DE, August 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 17, 1982, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Lewes, DE
- Coordinates: 38.760814, -75.169647 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7608&lon=-75.1696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71417
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82FA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71417/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FA203

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - pull-up - performed, pilot in command
  - maneuver - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ABOUT 15 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO ENTER A MANEUVER FROM LOW ALTITUDE OVER A BEACH AREA. DURING THE MANEUVER, THE PLANE PULLED UP, ENTERED A STEEP CLIMB AND THEN BANKED OR ROLLED LEFT AND ENTERED A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. BEFORE RECOVERING, IT STRUCK THE SAND AT THE WATERS EDGE, BOUNCED AND THEN CAME TO REST IN SHALLOW WATER. REPORTEDLY, THE ENGINE SOUNDED NORMAL, EXCEPT WHEN THE PLANE DESCENDED AND TURNED, ONE WITNESS NOTED THAT THE SOUND LEVEL ROSE IN PITCH. AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT AND ENGINE REVEALED NO INDICATION OF A PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE PILOT WEIGHED 270 LBS AND OCCUPIED THE FRONT SEAT WHILE THE 180 LB PASSENGER WAS IN THE AFT SEAT. REPORTEDLY, THE PLANE HAD 35 GAL OF FUEL ON BOARD BEFORE TAKEOFF, BUT WAS WITHIN ITS WEIGHT AND BALANCE LIMITS. THE PILOT HAD RECENTLY RECEIVED 25 HRS OF DUAL INSTRUCTION FOR BANNER TOWING AND HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN THE OPERATORS WAIVER FOR AUTHORIZATION TO TOW.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1886G (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7ECA
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 428
- Airframe hours: 1343
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Garrison Aviation
- Registered owner: Garrison Aviation
- Departed: REHOBOTH BEACH, DE
- Destination: REHOBOTH BEACH, DE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 870 total, 25 in this make and model, 790 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Temperature: 187 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBY, 37 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 19820817038789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820817038789A), Aug 17, 1982: Bbavia 7ECA, Lewes, DE, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pilot was performing aerobatic type maneuvers at low altitude when aircraft collided with water.

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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