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NTSB Report
October 27, 1985 · Champion 7ECA · N7547F
Seal Beach, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 27, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 minor injury)
Location
Seal Beach, CA
Aircraft
Champion 7ECA
Tail Number
N7547F
Operator
Charles E Mann Enterprises
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX86FA024
BASED UPON PREARRANGED PLANS, THE PLT & PAX FLEW OVER THE WATER FOR THE PURPOSE OF PHOTOGRAPHING FRIENDS OF THEIRS IN SAIL BOATS. THE PLT ROLLED HIS ACFT INTO A MEDIUM BANK & CIRCLED OVER THE SPECIFIED BOAT WHILE HIS PAX COMMENCED TAKING PHOTOS. THE PLT, DISTRACTED BY THE SAILBOAT, FAILED TO BE ATTENTIVE TO HIS ACFT'S ALTITUDE & HE DESCENDED UNTIL COLLIDING WITH THE WATER. THE ACFT QUICKLY SANK & ALTHOUGH THE REAR SEATED PIC WAS ABLE TO EXTRICATE HIMSELF, THE FRONT SEATED PAX'S HEAD STRUCK THE INSTRUMENT PANEL & HE DROWNED.
Full Narrative
BASED UPON PREARRANGED PLANS, THE PLT & PAX FLEW OVER THE WATER FOR THE PURPOSE OF PHOTOGRAPHING FRIENDS OF THEIRS IN SAIL BOATS. THE PLT ROLLED HIS ACFT INTO A MEDIUM BANK & CIRCLED OVER THE SPECIFIED BOAT WHILE HIS PAX COMMENCED TAKING PHOTOS. THE PLT, DISTRACTED BY THE SAILBOAT, FAILED TO BE ATTENTIVE TO HIS ACFT'S ALTITUDE & HE DESCENDED UNTIL COLLIDING WITH THE WATER. THE ACFT QUICKLY SANK & ALTHOUGH THE REAR SEATED PIC WAS ABLE TO EXTRICATE HIMSELF, THE FRONT SEATED PAX'S HEAD STRUCK THE INSTRUMENT PANEL & HE DROWNED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:54 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftChampion 7ECA
Tail NumberN7547F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCharles E Mann Enterprises
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-C1 · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 minor injury)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 56 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind225° @ 5 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO