Champion 7AC accident near Burns, Oregon, July 6, 1991
On July 6, 1991, a Champion 7AC, registered N3006E, was substantially damaged in an accident near Burns, Oregon. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE STUDENT PILOT (PILOT-IN-COMMAND), AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT OF THE STUDENT PILOT/OWNER/OPERATOR FROM CARBON MONOXIDE, MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 6, 1991
- Place
- Burns, Oregon · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Champion 7AC · all 7ACs on the register
- Registration
- N3006E · registry record · serial 7AC-6592
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT PLT WAS THE OWNER/OPERATOR OF THE ACFT. HE AND THE PASSENGER WERE ON A PLEASURE FLT IN AN AREA OF MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE ACFT WAS SEEN TO TURN INTO A VALLEY WHERE IT SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 5500 FT. DURING IMPACT, THE WINGS WERE BENT DOWN AND FORWARD; THERE WAS A 45 DEG CRUSH LINE ON THE LEADING EDGES OF THE WINGS. NO GROUND SCARS WERE FOUND TO INDICATE MOVEMENT AFTER GROUND IMPACT. THE ACFT'S LAST ANNUAL INSPN WAS DATED 7/22/87; HOWEVER, THE STUDENT PLT CONTINUED TO OPERATE THE ACFT; HE PERFORMED OIL CHANGES HIMSELF. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE WAS FOUND. THE STUDENT'S LAST MEDICAL EXAM WAS DATED 11/25/87. A TOXICOLOGY EXAM OF THE STUDENT PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED A SATURATION OF 20% CARBOXYHEMOGLOBIN. A FLT SURGEON REPORTED THAT THIS PERCENTAGE COULD CAUSE A HEADACHE, A STATE OF CONFUSION, DIZZINESS AND VISUAL DISTURBANCE. THE INVESTIGATION DID NOT DETERMINE IF THE ACFT HEATER SYSTEM COULD HAVE BEEN THE SOURCE OF CARBON MONOXIDE.
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: student
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 228 hours in all; 129 in this make and model; 37 in the last 90 days; 37 in the last 30 days; 155 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (expired)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,292 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 22, 1987; 129 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,220 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-65-8 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: S66 Homedale ID
- Destination: Burns OR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 315° at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°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.