# NTSB SEA91LA208: Champion 7GCAA, N1645G, Townsend, MT, August 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1991, 07:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Townsend, MT
- Coordinates: 46.480033, -111.340141 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4800&lon=-111.3401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41512
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41512/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA208

## Probable cause

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S NOT MAINTAINING THE POWER OFF STALL SPEED RESULTING IN A STALL CONDITION.  A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO ENABLE A SUCCESSFUL RECOVERY FROM THE STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - altitude - inadequate (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SUBSEQUENT TO A SIMULATED POWER LOSS AND FORCED LANDING CONDUCTED BY THE PILOT UNDER INSTRUCTION, THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND COMMENCED A DEMONSTRATION OF THE ALTITUDE LOST DURING AN ATTEMPTED TURN BACK TO THE FIELD.  DURING THE MANEUVER THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT ALLOWED THE AIRSPEED TO DECAY BELOW THE POWER OFF STALL SPEED AND THE AIRCRAFT STALLED.  INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE WAS AVAILABLE TO ENABLE A SUCCESSFUL RECOVERY BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1645G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1645G), registered now, S/N 63, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7GCAA
- Registry model: [Champion 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcaa) (registry code 21101N8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 63
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Donald C. Dolan
- Registered owner: Donald C. Dolan
- Departed: HLN, HELENA, MT
- Airport: 8U9, Canyon Ferry

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 685 total, 96 in this make and model, 631 as pilot in command, 95 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Observed at: HLN, 19 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 19910816039819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910816039819A), Aug 16, 1991: Bbavia 7GCAA, Townsend, MT, Substantial damage. Gave student sfl on climbout. Student made proper respons e. cft then turned back to show altitude loss and stalled

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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