# NTSB NYC90LA004: Champion 7ECA, N123DA, Beaver Falls, PA, October 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 4, 1989, 13:35 local (17:35 UTC)
- Place: Beaver Falls, PA
- Coordinates: 40.759429, -80.319465 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7594&lon=-80.3195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36562
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36562/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA004

## Probable cause

THE RIGHT FUEL VENT BECAME CLOGGED ALLOWING THE LEFT FUEL TANK TO BECOME EXHAUSTED. IN ADDITION, THE PILOT FAILED TO ADEQUATELY MONITOR THE FUEL SUPPLY IN EACH TANK.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - fuel system,vent - movement restricted (cause)
  - fuel system,ram air/induction air - no pressure (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A PIPELINE PATROL FLIGHT AT 500 FEET THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE PILOT LANDED IN A WOODED AREA IN HILLY TERRAIN. THE LEFT TANK WAS FOUND EMPTY & THE RIGHT TANK WAS FULL. THE AIRPLANE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A FUEL SELECTOR VALVE. THE RIGHT TANK FUEL VENT CHECK VALVE HELD A GUMMY SUBSTANCE IN THE FLIPPER VALVE SEAT AREA. THE FUEL TANK FILLER CAPS ARE NOT VENTED. FUEL GAUGES FOR EACH TANK ARE LOCATED ON THE INBOARD SIDE OF EACH FUEL TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N123DA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N123DA), registered now, S/N 798-71 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7ECA
- Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 798-71
- Airframe hours: 10500
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: John M. Nolan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 17, 1989, 800 hours before
- Departed: FREEMONT, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 40,800 total, 10,000 in this make and model, 40,000 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 64 °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 19891004038659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891004038659A), Oct 4, 1989: Bbavia 7ECA, Beaver Falls, PA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on pipeline patrol. Forced down in wooded area. Found fouled and defective fuel vents.

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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