Champion 7KCAB accident near Stacy, Minnesota, September 4, 2009
On September 4, 2009, a Champion 7KCAB, registered N2629G, was substantially damaged in an accident during emergency descent near Stacy, Minnesota (Private airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power during initial climb for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 4, 2009
- Place
- Stacy, Minnesota · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Champion 7KCAB · all 7KCABs on the register
- Registration
- N2629G · no longer on the register · serial 57
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A witness reported that the airplane had just taken off and that it sounded like the engine was having problems. He reported that the pilot turned the airplane around and was attempting to return to the airstrip. The airplane impacted the ground, bounced, and came to rest inverted. Both wings were separated from the fuselage, which sustained substantial damage. An on-scene inspection of the engine revealed the gascolator bowl was broken away from the engine. Fuel was present in the fuel line leading to the carburetor. Examination of the spark plugs indicated they were blackened with soot. The air intake box was pushed up into the carburetor. The airplane and engine were not accessible for further examination.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb
- Loss of control in flight during emergency descent defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 150 hours in all
- Last flight review: August 18, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 7, 2006
- Maximum gross weight: 1,950 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-320 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Stacy MN
- Destination: PVT Stacy MN
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 11:55 pm from ANE, 25 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N2629G the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.