Champion 7ECA N996MP

Summary

On 6 January 1991 at about 01:45 local time, a Champion 7ECA registered N996MP, operated by James N. Burdeaux, was involved in an accident near Hilo, Hawaii, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 January 1991 at 01:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Hilo, Hawaii, United States

Nearest airport

Hilo (ITO)

Coordinates

19.6904, -155.0807

Aircraft

Champion 7ECA

Registration

N996MP

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

James N. Burdeaux

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX91LA069

2 people were seriously injured.

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHILE MANEUVERING. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S DECISION TO ATTEMPT STEEP AND ABRUPT MANEUVERS DURING THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB PHASE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

SEVERAL GROUND WITNESSES ON THE AIRPORT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT INITIATED A STEEP CLIMB AFTER LIFTOFF, THEN SEEMED TO ROLL INTO A STEEP RIGHT TURN AT ABOUT MIDFIELD. THE AIRCRAFT SEEMED TO STALL AND ABRUPTLY ROLL TO THE LEFT OVER THE TOP INTO A SPIN ENTRY. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO INITIATE A RECOVERY FROM THE SPIN BUT DID NOT REGAIN LEVEL FLIGHT PRIOR TO COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND IN AN AIRPORT RAMP AREA. THE HILO ATCT SAID THE PILOT REQUESTED A RIGHT TURN OUT ON DEPARTURE TO PROCEED TO THE LOCAL PRACTICE AREA. THE AIRCRAFT WAS EXAMINED BY AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR FROM THE HONOLULU FSDO. THE INSPECTOR FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE ENGINE OR AIRCRAFT CONTROL SYSTEM.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.