# NTSB SEA91FA156: Champion 7AC, N3006E, Burns, OR, July 6, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1991, 17:45 local (Jul 6, 1991, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Burns, OR
- Coordinates: 43.590183, -118.889785 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5902&lon=-118.8898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41325
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91FA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41325/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA156

## Probable cause

IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE STUDENT PILOT (PILOT-IN-COMMAND), AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT OF THE STUDENT PILOT/OWNER/OPERATOR FROM CARBON MONOXIDE, MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
  - maintenance,annual inspection - not obtained, pilot in command
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment(carbon monoxide), pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT WAS THE OWNER/OPERATOR OF THE ACFT.  HE AND THE PASSENGER WERE ON A PLEASURE FLT IN AN AREA OF MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.  THE ACFT WAS SEEN TO TURN INTO A VALLEY WHERE IT SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 5500 FT.  DURING IMPACT, THE WINGS WERE BENT DOWN AND FORWARD; THERE WAS A 45 DEG CRUSH LINE ON THE LEADING EDGES OF THE WINGS.  NO GROUND SCARS WERE FOUND TO INDICATE MOVEMENT AFTER GROUND IMPACT.  THE ACFT'S LAST ANNUAL INSPN WAS DATED 7/22/87; HOWEVER, THE STUDENT PLT CONTINUED TO OPERATE THE ACFT; HE PERFORMED OIL CHANGES HIMSELF.  NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE WAS FOUND.  THE STUDENT'S LAST MEDICAL EXAM WAS DATED 11/25/87.  A TOXICOLOGY EXAM OF THE STUDENT PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED A SATURATION OF 20% CARBOXYHEMOGLOBIN.  A FLT SURGEON REPORTED THAT THIS PERCENTAGE COULD CAUSE A HEADACHE, A STATE OF CONFUSION, DIZZINESS AND VISUAL DISTURBANCE. THE INVESTIGATION DID NOT DETERMINE IF THE ACFT HEATER SYSTEM COULD HAVE BEEN THE SOURCE OF CARBON MONOXIDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3006E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3006E), registered now, S/N 7AC-6592, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7AC
- Registry model: [Champion 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ac) (registry code 21101MA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC-6592
- Airframe hours: 2292
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Maskal, Anthony : Nicholas
- Registered owner: Maskal, Anthony : Nicholas
- Last inspection: Annual, July 22, 1987, 129 hours before
- Departed: S66, HOMEDALE, ID
- Destination: BURNS, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; toxicology performed; flight hours: 228 total, 129 in this make and model, 155 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19910705026109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910705026109A), Jul 5, 1991: Bbavia 7AC, Burns, OR, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flying passenger with revoked student permit and no annual. Wreckage indicates a stall. Carbon monoxide in blood.

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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