Champion 7FC accident near Myakka City, Florida, October 4, 2018
On October 4, 2018 at about 6:05 pm local time, a 1959 Champion 7FC, registered N9855B, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Myakka City, Florida. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle during takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 4, 2018 · about 6:05 pm local time
- Place
- Myakka City, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Champion 7FC No Series, built 1959 · all 7FCs on the register
- Registration
- N9855B · no longer on the register · serial 7FC-349
- 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 he had been working at an off-airport site installing concrete columns and then departed from the site in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. During takeoff from the field, he turned to avoid trees at the end of the field and impacted a concrete column. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the right wing and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. He stated he had experience taking off on grass, but he had not left enough room to gain sufficient altitude for obstacle clearance.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › (general) › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 745 hours in all; 52 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: October 24, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,100 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 13, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 1,438 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cmi O-200-A (piston); 3,411 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Myakka City FL
- Destination: X05 Spring Hill FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 070° at 11 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,400 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from KSRQ, 22 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on December 10, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Photo Array | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.