# NTSB NYC88LA129: Champion 7KCAB, N9712N, Dracut, MA, April 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1988, 09:40 local (13:40 UTC)
- Place: Dracut, MA
- Location: 42.6704° N, 71.3020° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Dracut, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6704&lon=-71.3020&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36139
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36139/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA129

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - visual approach procedure - water,glassy (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE MAKING A NORMAL APPROACH FOR A 'GLASSY WATER' LANDING ON A LAKE, HE FLARED HIGH AND STALLED THE AIRPLANE. THE RIGHT WING DROPPED OFF AND THE AIRPLANE CRASHED INTO THE WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9712N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9712N), registered now, S/N 156 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7KCAB
- Registry model: [Champion 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7kcab) (registry code 21101P3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 156
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edward E. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 27, 1988
- Airport: Long Pond, runway 36, water

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 227 total, 11 in this make and model, 124 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19880427011639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880427011639A), Apr 27, 1988: Bbavia 7KCAB, Dracut, MA, Substantial damage. Leveled off too high trying to land the floatplane on glassy water. Aircraft stalled fell of on a wing and crashed.

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.