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NTSB Report
August 21, 1983 · Champion 7GCAA · N100ES
La Jolla, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 21, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
La Jolla, CA
Aircraft
Champion 7GCAA
Tail Number
N100ES
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX83FA398
PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED BEING RUN UP WITH THE ENG SPUTTERING & BACKFIRING QUITE BADLY. THE ACFT RETURNED TO THE HANGER & 3 LOWER PLUGS WERE CHANGED. THE FLT WAS THEN RESUMED. THE ACFT WAS NEXT OBSERVED OFF SHORE, WITH THE ENG SPUTTERING & MISSING, & THE BANNER HAVING BEEN RELEASED. THE ACFT THEN PITCHED UP, STALLED & STRUCK THE WATER. ENG EXAMINATION REVEALED NUMEROUS MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES. THE #4 EXHAUST VALVE FAILED IN FATIGUE. THE RIGHT EXHAUST FLAME TUBE WAS DETERIORATED & SEPARATED WITH PARTS MISSING WHICH WERE LARGER THAN THE OPENING IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. 4/5 OF THE #2 PISTON CAP SKIRT WAS MISSING. THE #2 SCRAPER RING ON THE #2 PISTON WAS BROKEN IN HALF. THE #4 EXHAUST CAM LOBE WAS WORN TO ABOUT 1/2 ITS NORMAL HEIGHT. THE #4 EXHAUST CAM FOLLOWER FACE WAS CONCAVED & PITTED. THE OIL PUMP HOUSING & GEARS SHOWED SCRATCH MARKS SUGGESTIVE OF METAL CONTANINATION.
Full Narrative
PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED BEING RUN UP WITH THE ENG SPUTTERING & BACKFIRING QUITE BADLY. THE ACFT RETURNED TO THE HANGER & 3 LOWER PLUGS WERE CHANGED. THE FLT WAS THEN RESUMED. THE ACFT WAS NEXT OBSERVED OFF SHORE, WITH THE ENG SPUTTERING & MISSING, & THE BANNER HAVING BEEN RELEASED. THE ACFT THEN PITCHED UP, STALLED & STRUCK THE WATER. ENG EXAMINATION REVEALED NUMEROUS MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES. THE #4 EXHAUST VALVE FAILED IN FATIGUE. THE RIGHT EXHAUST FLAME TUBE WAS DETERIORATED & SEPARATED WITH PARTS MISSING WHICH WERE LARGER THAN THE OPENING IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. 4/5 OF THE #2 PISTON CAP SKIRT WAS MISSING. THE #2 SCRAPER RING ON THE #2 PISTON WAS BROKEN IN HALF. THE #4 EXHAUST CAM LOBE WAS WORN TO ABOUT 1/2 ITS NORMAL HEIGHT. THE #4 EXHAUST CAM FOLLOWER FACE WAS CONCAVED & PITTED. THE OIL PUMP HOUSING & GEARS SHOWED SCRATCH MARKS SUGGESTIVE OF METAL CONTANINATION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:10 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftChampion 7GCAA
Tail NumberN100ES
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 29 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 14 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:45
Weather SourceWFAC