Champion 7AC

Aircraft Manufacturer: Champion

Model: 7AC

Aircraft Details

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer Champion
Manufacturer Serial Number 21101MA
Model 7AC
Category Land
Aircraft Type Fixed wing single engine
Cruise Speed 90 MPH / 78 knots
Weight Class 1 (Up to 12,499 lbs gross take off weight)
Engine Type Reciprocating
Number of Engines 1 engine
Number of Seats 2 seats
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Safety Analysis

Composition of NTSB accident records for this model in general-aviation operations (FAR Part 91 and 137), based on NTSB data as of May 1, 2026. It's a breakdown of recorded accidents rather than a safety rating, and types with significant non-GA operation (such as Part 135) may be under-represented.

100%
Identity Confirmed

Accidents are identity-confirmed against FAA registration records (two independent sources).


83 exact, 3 recovered, 0 provisional

Methodology
86
Recorded GA Accidents

Total recorded general-aviation accidents within the analyzed period.


13 fatal accidents.

15.1% of recorded accidents were fatal.

2,020
Currently Registered

Active aircraft fleet size contributing to the exposure data.


43,966

Aircraft-years of FAA registration exposure (2008–present).


Comparison

Within its peer cohort

Within this model's peer class (same aircraft type, engine class, and seat range), comparison of its share of recorded NTSB accidents to its share of FAA registration exposure (aircraft-years since 2008).

This is a share comparison, not flight-hours adjusted, so a model flown more per airframe than its peers will show an accident share above its exposure share even if its per-hour safety is average. Methodology →

Model class Share of cohort
Accidents
2.3%
Exposure
4.9%
Time series

Accidents by year

Recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents per calendar year, derived directly from the NTSB accident database. Each bar shows the accidents that occurred in that year. Methodology →

Investigations take 12–36 months to finalise, so the trailing years come in incomplete. Recent years are adjusted upward for that lag. Observed counts show as solid bars, the lag-adjusted estimate shows hatched.

2008 – 2026 Total 86
Accidents by year Accidents by year (total 86 observed): 2008 3, 2009 10, 2010 5, 2011 8, 2012 5, 2013 2, 2014 4, 2015 5, 2016 6, 2017 3, 2018 5, 2019 2, 2020 4, 2021 4, 2022 9, 2023 1, 2024 2, 2025 7, 2026 1. 3 6 9 12 0 3 '08 10 '09 5 '10 8 '11 5 '12 2 '13 4 '14 5 '15 6 '16 3 '17 5 '18 2 '19 4 '20 4 '21 9 '22 1 '23 2 '24 8 '25 3 '26
Composition

Phase of flight

Which phase of flight each accident occurred in, as coded by the NTSB. Most accidents happen in the phases where most flying time is concentrated, so this isn't a measure of which phase is most dangerous.

9 categories Total 86
Landing 28
Takeoff 14
Initial climb 12
Enroute 11
Maneuvering 10
Approach 4
Standing 3
Taxi 3
Emergency descent 1
Causes

Finding category

Top-level NTSB cause category, from the coded investigation findings. An accident often has more than one finding, so totals here can exceed the recorded accident count.

NTSB top-level codes Total 242
Personnel issues 97
Aircraft 96
Environmental issues 44
Not determined 5
Outcomes

Injury severity

NTSB classification of the worst injury in each accident: None, Minor, Serious, or Fatal. Each accident counts in exactly one severity.

Highest per accident Total 86
None 48
Minor 15
Fatal 13
Serious 10

Operating-rule mix (all parts): 091 (86)

Recorded Accidents

All 87 recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents for this model, most recent first.

Date Location Tail Damage Highest injury Phase of flight Finding categories
Early, TX N85018 Substantial None Landing unknown
Firebaugh, CA N82003 Substantial None Landing Aircraft
Willow, AK N84726 Substantial Serious Takeoff unknown
Waterman, IL N1846E Substantial Fatal Maneuvering unknown
Westphalia, MI N2659E Substantial None Initial climb unknown
Cape Fair, MO N83952 Substantial Fatal Maneuvering unknown
Martinsville, VA N84065 Substantial Minor Takeoff Aircraft, Personnel issues
Palmetto, FL N1369E Substantial Serious Initial climb Personnel issues, Aircraft
Topsham, ME N3854E Substantial Minor Emergency descent Environmental issues, Personnel issues
Valley Springs, CA N1611E Substantial Minor Maneuvering Personnel issues, Aircraft
DeWitt, AR N84692 Substantial Minor Landing Personnel issues, Aircraft
Murray, KY N3005E Substantial Serious Prior to flight Aircraft, Personnel issues
Marysville, OH N85748 Substantial None Landing Aircraft, Personnel issues
Jacksboro, TN N1478E Destroyed Fatal Initial climb Aircraft, Personnel issues
Clermont, FL N44FC Substantial None Landing Personnel issues, Aircraft
Plant City, FL N84423 Substantial Minor Emergency descent Personnel issues, Aircraft
Auburn, WA N82579 Substantial None Landing Personnel issues, Aircraft
Bowling Green, MO N1976E Substantial Fatal Maneuvering Personnel issues, Aircraft
Melrose, TN N1294E Substantial Minor Enroute Personnel issues, Environmental issues
Monongahela, PA N84583 Substantial Serious Initial climb Aircraft, Personnel issues
Denver, NC N3063E Substantial None Landing Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues
Fort Worth, TX N1472E Substantial Fatal Initial climb Personnel issues, Aircraft
Harrah, OK N83365 Substantial Minor Initial climb Environmental issues, Personnel issues, Aircraft
Rhinelander, WI N84318 Substantial None Landing Aircraft, Personnel issues
Salida, CO N3370E Substantial None Takeoff Personnel issues, Aircraft

Page 1 of 4 (showing accidents 1–25 of 87).

Data presented on this website is sourced directly from official Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records. To ensure accuracy, we try not to correct issues such as improper punctuation, spelling errors, empty fields, or unusual labels like "SALE REPORTED" for a registrant. We make every effort to present information as it appears in the FAA database. This website is not affiliated with any government agency.