Champion 7ECA accident near Turlock, California, October 19, 1985
On October 19, 1985 at about 1:50 am local time, a Champion 7ECA, registered N5059G, was substantially damaged in an accident near Turlock, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 19, 1985 · about 1:50 am local time
- Place
- Turlock, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Champion 7ECA · all 7ECAs on the register
- Registration
- N5059G · registry record · serial 1343-80
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ACFT MADE A FORCED LNDG AFTER A LOSS OF POWER DURING A DESCENT. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ENG RPM DECREASED TO 1100 WITH ALL OTHER GAUGES IN THE GREEN. HE ALSO SAID HE COULD NOT GET THE FUEL DRAIN SUMPT TO DRAIN AS IT WAS FROZEN SHUT DURING PREFLT. THE PLT SAID HE MANIPULATED THE THROTTLE AND CARB HEAT AFTER THE POWER LOSS BUT IT DID NOT HELP. ATTEMPTS TO GET THE PLT TO FILE AN ACC REPORT SINCE THE ACC HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. IT IS REPORTED THAT HE HAS QUIT HIS JOB AND DISCONNECTED HIS HOME PHONE.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-K2C (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Skyline Aircraft Sale, INC.
The flight
- Departed from: 102 Lakeport CA
- Destination: MER Merced CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:55 am from MER
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number LAX86LA018.