Champion 7ECA accident near Mariposa, California, October 29, 1994
On October 29, 1994 at about 7:00 pm local time, a Champion 7ECA, registered N7MM, was substantially damaged in an accident near Mariposa, California (Mariposa-Yosemite airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the unqualified student pilot's improper use of the brakes and his failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft. The pilot's lack of total experience is a factor in this accident.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 29, 1994 · about 7:00 pm local time
- Place
- Mariposa, California · Mariposa-Yosemite · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Champion 7ECA · all 7ECAs on the register
- Registration
- N7MM · no longer on the register · serial 493
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE NON-CERTIFICATED PILOT WAS COMPLETING A VISUAL FLIGHT RULES PERSONAL FLIGHT WITH A PASSENGER. DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT, THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY APPLIED UNEVEN BRAKING AND THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED. THE PILOT'S THIRD CLASS MEDICAL/STUDENT PILOT'S CERTIFICATE EXPIRED ON JUNE 30, 1993.
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
- Flight time: 39 hours in all; 6 in this make and model; 14 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (expired)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,368 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 4, 1993; 40 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-C1 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: O68 at 6:00 pm
- Destination: O68 CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 3,310 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.