# NTSB WPR09LA124: Champion 7ECA, N2835G, Salinas, CA, February 22, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 22, 2009, 15:20 local (23:20 UTC) - Place: Salinas, CA - Coordinates: 36.657775, -121.603614 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6578&lon=-121.6036&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report December 29, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73378 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09LA124 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73378/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73378 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA124 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a wire while intentionally maneuvering at a low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause) ## Analysis While the pilot was intentionally maneuvering at a low altitude above a river, he struck a set of power lines, which spanned across the river below the tree line. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the water, substantially damaging the right wing and fuselage. Local law enforcement reported three power lines, which spanned the river, were down and a loss of electrical power was reported in the area around the time of the accident. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On February 22, 2009, about 1520 Pacific standard time, a Champion 7ECA, N2835G, collided with power lines and subsequently impacted the waters of the Salinas River in Salinas, California. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the private pilot and passenger received serious injuries. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane departed from Salinas Municipal Airport about 1501. In a written statement, the pilot reported the purpose of the flight was to sightsee over the Salinas River. Following an uneventful departure, he continued south toward the east-west oriented river. While maneuvering over the river, about 3.5 miles from the airport, the airplane struck a set of power lines, which spanned across the river below the tree line. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the water, substantially damaging the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine prior to the accident. Local law enforcement personnel reported that three power lines, which span the river, were down and a loss of electrical power was reported in the area around the time of the accident. According to the pilot, he had accumulated 607 hours total flight time, 60 hours of which was in the same make and model as the accident airplane. A pictorial diagram of the accident area is contained in the public docket for this accident. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The airplane, a Champion 7ECA, serial number 514, was equipped with a Lycoming O-235-C1 engine (serial number L-9202-15) and was manufactured in 1967. According to the pilot, at the date of the last inspection, the airframe accumulated a total time in service of about 2,063 hours. The last inspection was an annual inspection, which was completed on February 9, 2008. METEOROLOGICAL A routine aviation weather report (METAR) for Salinas Municipal Airport, located 4 miles northwest of the accident, was issued at 1453. It stated: clouds broken at 8,000 feet and 10,000 feet; visibility 10 statute miles; wind from 130 degrees at 9 knots; temperature 17 degrees Celsius; dew point 13 degrees Celsius; and altimeter 30.02 inHg. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2835G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2835G-2015-05-19), registration cancelled 2015-05-19, S/N 514, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7ECA - Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 514 - Airframe hours: 2063 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 9, 2008, 62 hours before - Departed: SNS, Salinas, CA - Destination: SNS, Salinas, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 16, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 607 total, 60 in this make and model, 536 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: SNS, 4 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 20090222001249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090222001249A), Feb 22, 2009: Bbavia 7ECA, Salinas, CA, Destroyed. On Sunday February 22, 2009 at approximately 23:01 UTC, a champion 7ECA (N2835G) departed Salinas Municipal Airport, Salinas, CA (ksns) on a local personal… ## Other investigations on N2835G (1) 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. - [NTSB OAK76DVG31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK76DVG31), Nov 1, 1975: Champion 7ECA (N2835G), Kyburz, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 29, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73378. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 538 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40312683&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Maps and Diagrams (item 2, .PDF, 937 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320212&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps%20and%20Diagrams-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.