# NTSB SEA91LA018: Champion 7ECA, N7584U, Bremerton, WA, November 19, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 18, 1990, 18:30 local (Nov 19, 1990, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Bremerton, WA
- Coordinates: 47.570449, -122.630386 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5704&lon=-122.6304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41365
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41365/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA018

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - fog
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - light condition - dark night
  - object - tree(s)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED IMC. THE PILOT TURNED LEFT TO RETURN TO THE RUNWAY AND REDUCED POWER. DURING THE TURN THE PILOT LOST SIGHT OF THE RUNWAY AND DID NOT REALIZE THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS DESCENDING. THE AIRPLANE FLEW INTO TREES. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANIAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7584U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7ECA
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 740-70
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thf Aviators
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: PWT, BREMERTON, WA
- Destination: BFI, SEATTLE, WA
- Airport: PWT, Bremerton

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 156 total, 19 in this make and model, 63 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PWT

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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