# NTSB SEA85LA071: Champion 7GC, N7545F, Reno, NV, March 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 10, 1985, 10:14 local (17:14 UTC)
- Place: Reno, NV
- Location: 39.5296° N, 119.8138° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Reno, NV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5296&lon=-119.8138&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40125
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40125/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA071

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - premature, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Fire, landing - roll
  - fire extinguisher - lack of (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A HARD LANDING OCCURRED AND THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED TO THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY WHERE IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE ACFT HAD NO FIRE EXTINGUISHING EQUIPMENT ON BOARD AND THE ACFT WAS THEN DESTROYED BY THE FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7545F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7545F-1990-02-01), registration cancelled 1990-02-01, S/N 22270 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7GC
- Registry model: [Champion 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcbc) (registry code 21101PK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7GC-11
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2B 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald J. Zens
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: NONE, RENO, NV
- Destination: NONE, RENO, NV
- Airport: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °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 19850310011189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850310011189A), Mar 10, 1985: Bbavia 7GCBC, Reno, NV, Destroyed. Pilot made hard landing and right main gear collapsed. Aircraft veered to the side of the runway and caught fire.

## Other investigations on N7545F (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 DEN89LA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA132), Jun 4, 1989: Champion 7GCBC (N7545F), Monticello, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. THE TERRAIN CONDITION WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A FACTOR.

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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