Champion 7GCBC N7596F

Summary

On 26 December 1996 at about 14:30 local time, a Champion 7GCBC registered N7596F was involved in an accident near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 December 1996 at 14:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

North Perry (HWO)

Coordinates

26.1495, -80.2693

Aircraft

Champion 7GCBC

Registration

N7596F

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hollywood → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA97FA047

2 people died.

Intentional aerobatics at too low an altitude that did not allow for recovery from an intentional maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the operation of the airplane at an overgross weight condition.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot initiated a loop from an altitude of about 50 feet above ground level then failed to recover before impact with water. The left wing aft hinge attach hardware was not in place. No determination could be made as to when the hardware separated. The airplane was last inspected in accordance with an annual inspection 2.01 hours earlier and the airplane had been flown on three separate flights excluding the accident flight since the annual inspection was performed. None of the flights involved acrobatic maneuvers. The hardware is required to be inspected for condition and security during an annual inspection. Tension overload failure of the left aileron up cable was noted near the wing root area. Weight and balance calculations indicated that the airplane was over gross weight at the time of takeoff and at the accident. FAR'S indicate that aerobatic maneuvers are to be performed so completion occurs at an altitude at least 1,500 feet above ground level. The engine was started and found to operate normally.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.