Champion 7ECA N8339V

Summary

On 17 June 2009, a Champion 7ECA registered N8339V, operated by Stephen H Whitson, was involved in an accident near Lake Elsinore, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 June 2009

Classification

Accident

Location

Lake Elsinore, California, United States

Nearest airport

Corona Muncipal Airport (AJO)

Coordinates

33.7483, -117.3881

Aircraft

Champion 7ECA

Registration

N8339V

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Stephen H Whitson

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Murrieta/Temecu → Corona

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR09LA293

2 people died.

A loss of airplane control for undetermined reasons.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot's spouse reported that the pilot and his friend were planning to fly to a local airport for lunch and then return back to his home airport. The airplane was found later that night in hilly terrain; there were no witnesses. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector responded to the accident site and reported that the airplane came to rest inverted on sloping terrain. The entire wreckage was present at the accident site, and the inspector was able to establish flight control continuity. Both wings showed similar leading to trailing edge crush damage and the empennage and tail were bent over the cockpit area, consistent with the airplane having stalled prior to impacting the ground. The reported weather in the area at the time was generally clear skies with wind from the northwest about 10 knots. A postaccident engine inspection revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.