# NTSB SEA89LA037: Champion 7ECA, N2582F, Port Townsend, WA, January 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 22, 1989, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Port Townsend, WA
- Coordinates: 48.030605, -122.840065 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0306&lon=-122.8401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40972
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40972/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA037

## Probable cause

IMPROPER APPROACH AND FLARE TECHNIQUE ON THE PART OF THE PILOT, RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE TALL TREES SURROUNDING THE AIRSTRIP.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PLT SIDE-SLIPPED THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING APPROACH. A SINK RATE DEVELOPED WHICH THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO ARREST WITH POWER AND FLARE. THE AIRPLANE WAS LANDED HARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2582F (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7ECA
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 213
- Airframe hours: 2150
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James L. Nodell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 1988, 24 hours before
- Airport: runway 36, 4,350 × 80 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 255 total, 128 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAE, 22 nm away

## 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 19890122001119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890122001119A), Jan 22, 1989: Bbavia 7ECA, Port Townsend, WA, Substantial damage. Developed a high sink rate after slipping the aircraft over trees to land on Private strip. Failed to recover.

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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