# NTSB NYC87LA194: Champion 7GCB, N5185X, Sullivan, NH, June 29, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1987, 18:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Sullivan, NH
- Location: 43.0131° N, 72.2209° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sullivan, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0131&lon=-72.2209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30688
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30688/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA194

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb
  - fuel system,carburetor - improper (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - incorrect (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE FLOAT EQUIPPED CITABRIA 7GCBC EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS WHEN HE ADDED POWER AND RAISED HIS NOSE FOR A CRUISE CLIMB FROM 3500 FT. HE SET UP FOR A FORCED LANDING IN A POND. AS HE NEARED TOUCHDOWN, THE ENGINE REGAINED POWER AND RESPONDED TO THE THROTTLE. HE OVERFLEW THE POND AT A LOW ALTITUDE. AS HE NEARED THE END OF THE POND HE RAISED THE NOSE TO CLEAR THE TREES AND THE ENGINE AGAIN LOST POWER. HE HAD A SWAMPY AREA AHEAD. HOWEVER, HE WAS TOO FAST TO MAKE A NORMAL LANDING SO HE PLANTED THE AIRCRAFT DOWN ON THE WATER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS FUELED WITH AUTOMOBILE GASOLINE. IT HAD NOT BEEN MODIFIED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AN APPROVED STC FOR AUTOMOBILE GASOLINE. THE FLOAT IN THE CARBURETOR WAS THE WRONG TYPE FOR AUTOMOBILE GASOLINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5185X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5185X-2013-08-15), registration cancelled 2013-08-15, S/N 174, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Champion 7GCB
- Registry model: [Champion 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcbc) (registry code 21101PK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 765
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David Buckley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1987
- Departed: PORTLAND, ME
- Destination: WEST DOVER, VT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 174 total, 4 in this make and model, 95 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19870629027459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870629027459A), Jun 29, 1987: Bbavia 7GCBC, Sullivan, NH, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Float plane made a forced landing in a swamp. Nosed up. Not modified for use of auto fuel.

## Other investigations on N5185X (1)

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 NYC82DA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DA222), Sep 11, 1982: Champion 7GCBC (N5185X), Enfield, NH, 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.

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