On April 2, 1987, a Champion 7ECA (registration N9655S) was involved in an aviation accident near Upland, CA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot departed for a sightseeing flight without performing weight and balance calculations, despite a 270-pound passenger and assumed full fuel tanks. The aircraft impacted mountainous terrain after attempting to reverse course in a canyon.
Accident Overview
A pilot took off from his home airport for a sightseeing local flight over nearby mountains. The aircraft carried a rear seat passenger weighing 270 pounds, and the fuel tanks were assumed to be full. There is no evidence that the pilot calculated the aircraft's weight and balance data for this flight.
Flight Sequence
The aircraft impacted mountainous terrain. Evidence indicates that the engine was producing power at the time of impact. The aircraft had been climbing up a steeply rising canyon. It then attempted to reverse course and subsequently collided with the canyon wall.