History of Flight
On May 7, 2019, about 1945 central daylight time, a Champion 7GCAA airplane, N7665S, impacted terrain during a takeoff from a private airstrip near Schlater, Mississippi. The pilot was fatally injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating from the private airstrip at the time of the accident.
According to a witness, the airplane departed to the north. It lifted off about 1,500 ft down the runway and flew an additional 500 ft before pitching up. At approximately 100 ft above ground level, the airplane banked left, turned west, then turned east. It exhibited a slow sink instead of climbing, then pitched down and impacted terrain in a dive. The witness noted no anomalies in engine sound and reported a light wind from the south.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The wreckage came to rest on its nose at a heading of about 100° on a grass overrun approximately 175 ft north of the runway's prepared surface. The engine was embedded in terrain, with part of one propeller blade visible. The left aileron cable was separated with a broom straw appearance, consistent with overload. Other flight control cables were intact to the cockpit. The front control stick and attached stick socket section separated; both surfaces exhibited a dull grainy appearance consistent with overload. Ground depressions under both wings matched their structure and shape. Fuel tanks contained liquid consistent with fuel; no blighting was observed on surrounding grass. The hour meter read 681.5 hours; the tachometer read 1,138.1 hours. No preexisting airframe anomalies were found.
The wreckage was recovered. Engine crankshaft continuity was confirmed; all four cylinders had compression and suction. Internal cylinder inspection via borescope revealed only water and corrosion debris. The fuel injector servo was fractured across its throttle bore and separated; throttle and mixture cables remained attached. The servo fuel inlet screen had no debris, and liquid smelling of aviation gasoline drained during disassembly. The fuel distribution valve diaphragm was undamaged, and injector lines and nozzles were unobstructed. The engine-driven fuel pump's pumping segment was separated; its diaphragms and check valves were intact. Similar fuel-smelling liquid drained from the pump.
The left magneto produced spark from all towers when rotated. The right magneto produced no spark; disassembly revealed corrosion on ignition points but no preimpact anomalies. Spark plugs showed varying conditions: some had dark gray coloration and normal wear; others contained corrosion debris or oily liquid. The No. 2 bottom spark plug was impact damaged. Oily liquid was present in the engine. The oil suction screen was not examined, but the oil filter media had no debris. The oil cooler and associated plumbing showed impact damage. The electric fuel pump operated when powered.
No preimpact mechanical anomalies were found with the engine or airframe that would have precluded normal operations.
Medical and Pathological Information
The FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory performed toxicology testing on pilot specimens; none were detected. The pilot's remains were sent to the Mississippi Crime Lab for autopsy; no report was available at publication. An NTSB medical officer reviewed the circumstances, toxicology results, and pilot's FAA medical history, finding no evidence of a medical condition or substance use that would have contributed to the accident.