# NTSB SEA90FA100: Champion 7KCAB, N1877G, Pocatello, ID, June 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 11, 1990, 16:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Pocatello, ID
- Coordinates: 42.899711, -112.389678 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8997&lon=-112.3897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41113
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90FA100
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41113/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA100

## Probable cause

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOTS POOR JUDGEMENT IN PERFORMING LOW ALTITUDE STEEP TURN MANEUVERS RESULTING IN AN INADVERTANT STALL AT AN ALTITUDE TOO LOW FOR RECOVERY. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE OVER GROSS WEIGHT AND OUT-OF-CG AIRCRAFT LOADING, AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - low pass - intentional, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS ON A STUDENT TRAINING FLT IN AN AREA WHERE THE INSTRUCTOR WAS KNOWN TO HAVE STUDENTS PERFORM LOW LEVEL CONTOUR FOLLOWING FLTS AT ALTITUDES AS LOW AS 10 FT AGL FOLLOWING THE WINDING SNAKE RIVER. THESE FLIGHTS REQUIRED CONSTANT STEEP TURNS WITH 60-70 DEG BANK ANGLES TO STAY OVER THE RIVER. THE 54-HR STUDENT PILOT WAS ON HIS 2ND LOCAL TRAINING FLT SINCE RESUMING FLT TRAINING AFTER BEING INACTIVE FOR 8 YEARS. THE ACFT WAS OVER GW AND OUT OF AFT CG LIMITS FOR AEROBATIC FLIGHT. WINDS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WERE 18 KNOTS GUSTING TO 27.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1877G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1877G-2014-09-10), registration cancelled 2014-09-10, S/N 108, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7KCAB
- Registry model: [Champion 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7kcab) (registry code 21101P3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 108
- Airframe hours: 1820
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Northwest Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 1990, 32 hours before
- Departed: PIH, POCATELLO, ID
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,188 total, 450 in this make and model, 2,948 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 18 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIH, 5 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 19900611019839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900611019839A), Jun 11, 1990: Bbavia 7KCAB, Pocatello, ID, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Collided with ground while contour flying over river. Prior flights at 10 feet AGL. Was overgross and aft of CG.

## Other investigations on N1877G (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 LAX81FUG34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FUG34-202515), May 19, 1981: Bellanca 7KCAB (N1877G), Chino, CA, 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.