# NTSB SEA91LA238: Champion 7EC, N7547E, Coeur D'Alene, ID, September 17, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1991, 18:10 local (Sep 17, 1991, 01:10 UTC)
- Place: Coeur D'Alene, ID
- Coordinates: 47.5895, -116.909576 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5895&lon=-116.9096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41536
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA238
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41536/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA238

## Probable cause

A BLOCKED FUEL SYSTEM VENT, AND AN INADEQUATE AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT.  ROUGH TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

WHILE MANEUVERING OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH. THE PILOT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD.  DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.  POST-CRASH INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM VENT WAS BLOCKED BY ACCUMULATIONS FROM MUD DAUBERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7547E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7EC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 251
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph H. Meoak
- Registered owner: Joseph H. Meoak
- Departed: S61, ATHOL, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 206 total, 93 in this make and model, 123 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19910916040089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910916040089A), Sep 16, 1991: Bbavia 7ECA, Coeur D Alene, ID, Substantial damage. Rough engine over mountain terrain. Made precautionary landing. Nosed over. Found mud daubers blocked fuel vents.

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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