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NTSB Report
April 2, 1987 · Champion 7ECA · N9655S
Upland, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 2, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Upland, CA
Aircraft
Champion 7ECA
Tail Number
N9655S
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX87FA167
THE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM HIS HOME AIRPORT FOR A SIGHT-SEEING, LOCAL FLIGHT OVER NEARBY MOUNTAINS. ALTHOUGH THE REAR SEAT PASSENGER WEIGHED 270 LBS AND THE AIRCRAFT'S FUEL TANKS WERE ASSUMED TO BE FULL, THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE PILOT CALCULATED THE AIRCRAFT'S WEIGHT AND BALANCE DATA FOR THE FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WITH EVIDENCE INDICATING THAT THE ENGINE WAS PRODUCING POWER. THE EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN CLIMBING UP THE STEEPLY RISING CANYON, ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE COURSE, AND COLLIDED WITH THE CANYON WALL.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM HIS HOME AIRPORT FOR A SIGHT-SEEING, LOCAL FLIGHT OVER NEARBY MOUNTAINS. ALTHOUGH THE REAR SEAT PASSENGER WEIGHED 270 LBS AND THE AIRCRAFT'S FUEL TANKS WERE ASSUMED TO BE FULL, THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE PILOT CALCULATED THE AIRCRAFT'S WEIGHT AND BALANCE DATA FOR THE FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WITH EVIDENCE INDICATING THAT THE ENGINE WAS PRODUCING POWER. THE EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN CLIMBING UP THE STEEPLY RISING CANYON, ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE COURSE, AND COLLIDED WITH THE CANYON WALL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 PST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftChampion 7ECA
Tail NumberN9655S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-C1 · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:45
Weather SourceWFAC