# NTSB SEA87LA043: Champion Aeronca 7FC, N7547E, Athol, ID, January 4, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 4, 1987, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Athol, ID
- Coordinates: 47.960388, -116.680366 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9604&lon=-116.6804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40580
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40580/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA043

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - snowbank
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - aircraft parked/standing

## Analysis

THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING LANDING WITH THE AIRCRAFT VEERING TO THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE. THE PLT THEN ELECTED TO GO-AROUND AND ON THE GO-AROUND THE AIRCRAFTS MAIN GEAR CAUGHT ON A SNOW BERM CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT THEN STRUCK THE GROUND AND ROLLED ACROSS THE TAXIWAY AND RUNWAY STRIKING A PARKED, UNOCCUPIED AIRCRAFT. ONLY A PORTION OF THE RIGHT MAIN TAILSPRING WAS PRESENT AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND IT IS NOT KNOWN WHETHER IT WAS ABSENT UPON LANDING OR OCCURRED DURING THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7547E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7547E-2014-11-18), registration cancelled 2014-11-18, S/N 7FC-251, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION AERONCA 7FC (AERONCA 7F)
- Registry model: [Champion AERONCA 7FC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-aeronca-7fc) (registry code 2110162) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7FC-251
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Allan R. Pearson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: S62, ATHOL, ID
- Airport: S62, Henley Aerodrome, runway 21, 4,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 34 total, 14 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °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 19870104019259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870104019259A), Jan 4, 1987: Bbavia STC7, Athol, ID, Substantial damage. The aircraft veered off the runway and struck a parked aircraft on go around. Right tail spring broken. Student pilot

## Other investigations on N7547E (3)

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 SEA80DYP32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA80DYP32), Aug 15, 1980: Aeronca 7FC (N7547E), Grangeville, ID, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA70D0009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA70D0009), Jun 2, 1969: Champion 7EC (N7547E), Eagle Point, OR, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA67D0181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA67D0181), Sep 4, 1966: Aeronca 7FC (N7547E), Blachly, OR, 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.

---
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.
