Champion 7FC accident near Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, February 18, 2006
On February 18, 2006 at about 3:15 pm local time, a Champion 7FC, registered N7694E, was substantially damaged in an accident near Dover-Foxcroft, Maine (Charles Chase Jr. Memorial airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to detect ice in the fuel system, resulting in a loss of engine power during takeoff-initial climb, and an in-flight collision with trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 18, 2006 · about 3:15 pm local time
- Place
- Dover-Foxcroft, Maine · Charles Chase Jr. Memorial · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Champion 7FC · all 7FCs on the register
- Registration
- N7694E · registry record · serial 7FC-289
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
As the airplane reached an altitude of approximately 1,000 feet above ground level after takeoff, the engine lost power. The pilot unsuccessfully attempted to restart the engine, and then made a forced landing. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted trees and then the ground. Examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies. The pilot reported to an FAA inspector that he removed the gascolator fuel bowl after the accident, and observed ice in the bottom. He also reported that he performed a complete preflight inspection prior to takeoff.
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; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 4 in the last 90 days; 245 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,460 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2005
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C85-12 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 44B Dover-Foxcroft ME at 3:00 pm
- Destination: NONE Ornville ME
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 11 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 16°F (-9°C), dew point -2°F (-19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from BGR, 29 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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 N7694E 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.