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NTSB Report
May 9, 1987 · Champion 7EC · N7556E
Delia, KS
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 9, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Delia, KS
Aircraft
Champion 7EC
Tail Number
N7556E
Operator
Delone L Bennett
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC87FA103
WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS PERFORMING HIGH SPEED, LOW LEVEL PASSES OVER THE HOMES OF SOME FRIENDS AND RELATIVES WHEN, SUDDENLY, IT STARTED A STEEP CLIMB OVER A TREE LINE. THE AIRCRAFT APPEARED TO SLOW DOWN AT THE TOP OF THE CLIMB; THEN IT LEVELED OFF BRIEFLY BEFORE PLUMMETING, NOSE-FIRST, TO THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT BURST INTO FLAMES SHORTLY AFTER IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS OF AN IN-FLIGHT FAILURE/SEPARATION, AND A SUBSEQUENT ENGINE TEARDOWN INSPECTION DID NOT REVEAL ANY KIND OF POWERPLANT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.
Full Narrative
WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS PERFORMING HIGH SPEED, LOW LEVEL PASSES OVER THE HOMES OF SOME FRIENDS AND RELATIVES WHEN, SUDDENLY, IT STARTED A STEEP CLIMB OVER A TREE LINE. THE AIRCRAFT APPEARED TO SLOW DOWN AT THE TOP OF THE CLIMB; THEN IT LEVELED OFF BRIEFLY BEFORE PLUMMETING, NOSE-FIRST, TO THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT BURST INTO FLAMES SHORTLY AFTER IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS OF AN IN-FLIGHT FAILURE/SEPARATION, AND A SUBSEQUENT ENGINE TEARDOWN INSPECTION DID NOT REVEAL ANY KIND OF POWERPLANT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftChampion 7EC
Tail NumberN7556E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDelone L Bennett
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C90-12F · Reciprocating · 90
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 54 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 14 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:50
Weather SourceWFAC