Champion 7ECA accident near Hinesville, Georgia, July 23, 2011
On July 23, 2011 at about 11:52 am local time, a Champion 7ECA, registered N5191X, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Hinesville, Georgia (Midcoast Regional Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power due to the improper installation of the carburetor air filter by maintenance personnel, which resulted in the filter becoming dislodged and obstructing the carburetor. Contributing to the accident was the pilot did not maintain adequate airspeed during the forced landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 23, 2011 · about 11:52 am local time
- Place
- Hinesville, Georgia · Midcoast Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Champion 7ECA · all 7ECAs on the register
- Registration
- N5191X · no longer on the register · serial 692
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the airplane had climbed to about 900 feet above ground level after takeoff when the engine experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot initiated a turn back toward the airport. While on final approach, the airplane stalled and collided with a fence. A postaccident examination of the engine carburetor revealed that a large piece of foam from the air filter element was lodged in the venturi of the carburetor. A review of the airplane’s logbooks revealed that an air filter element was installed during the engine overhaul 31 hours before the accident. It is likely that the air filter was installed incorrectly, thus causing the air filter element to become dislodged and drawn into the carburetor venturi.
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
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Loss of control in flight during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › Air intake › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Maintenance personnel
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › (general) › Not specified
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,100 hours in all; 55 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: May 1, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,015 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 15, 2010; 31 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LHW Hinesville GA at 11:52 am
- Destination: LHW Hinesville GA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 10:55 am from LHW
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.
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.