# NTSB SEA92LA210: Champion 7ECA, N9662S, Arlington, WY, September 18, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 18, 1992, 16:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Arlington, WY
- Location: 41.6053° N, 106.1997° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Arlington, WY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6053&lon=-106.1997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42905
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA210
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42905/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA210

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO TOUCH DOWN AT THE PROPER LANDING POINT ON THE ROAD. A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - downdraft
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE MANEUVERING, HE ENCOUNTERED DOWNDRAFTS RESULTING IN A LOSS OF ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED. THE PILOT THEN INITIATED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A NEARBY ROAD DURING WHICH 'THE RIGHT MAIN TOUCHED DOWN JUST SHORT OF THE ROAD.' THE PILOT THEN LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND IT CAME TO REST AFTER IMPACTING A BARBED WIRE FENCE. THE PILOT ESTIMATED A TEMPERATURE OF 65 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AT THE CRASH SITE (8,500 FEET MSL) AND THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ESTIMATED AT 11,500 FEET. SURFACE WEATHER OBSERVATIONS AT RAWLINS AND LARAMIE (WEST AND EAST OF THE SITE RESPECTIVELY) REPORTED STRONG (20 KNOT) SOUTHWESTERLY WINDS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9662S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9662S-1992-10-28), registration cancelled 1992-10-28, S/N 395 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7ECA
- Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 395
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Smith, Leonard C.
- Registered owner: Daniels, Joe & Patsy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 80V, MEDICINE BOW, WY
- Destination: LAR, LARAMIE, WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,709 total, 46 in this make and model, 1,692 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19920918040569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920918040569A), Sep 18, 1992: Bbavia 7ECA, Arlington, WY, Destroyed. Downdrafts in mountains. Elected to land on a road. Wheel off road on landing. Lost control. Struck fence. Burned.

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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