# Accident 20230603011529A: Champion 7KCAB, Rutherfordton, NC, June 3, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 3, 2023, 13:00 local time
- Place: Rutherfordton, NC
- Airport: Rutherford Co - Marchman Field
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.4271° N, 81.9351° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4271&lon=-81.9351&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5068X, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5068X) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Champion 7KCAB (registry code 21101P3, https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7kcab) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7KCAB
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 16,606 total, 30 in this make and model, 82 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN23LA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA230) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230603011529A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

AFTER TOUCH DOWN ON RWY 1 AT RUTHERFORDTON, NC (FQD), A/C ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^PILOT STATED THAT THE TAIL WHEEL IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO SHIMMY AND A/C VEERED RIGHT.  PILOT ATTEMPTED TO COMPENSATE WITH FULL RUDDER AND INITATED HARD BRAKING (HEEL BRAKES) TO STOP A/C FROM DEPARTING THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY.  SKID MARKS ON RWY INDICATE RIGHT MAIN LOCKED UP FIRST.  HARD BRAKING CAUSED THE TAIL OF THE A/C TO ELEVATE RESULTING IN THE PROPELLER (3 WITNESS MARKS), THE LOWER ENGINE COWLING, AND THE LEFT MAIN WHEEL COVER ALL CONTACTING THE RWY SURFACE.  WHEN FWD MOVEMENT CEASED, THE TAIL CAME BACK DOWN STRIKING THE RWY CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TAIL WHEEL ASSY & SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE LOWER PORTION OF THE RUDDER.  2 POB.  NO INJURIES.

TASK # T-EA68-FY23-1494

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN23LA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA230), Jun 3, 2023: Champion 7KCAB (N5068X), Rutherfordton, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The disengagement of the tailwheel locking mechanism during the landing roll which resulted in a loss of directional control during landing with a crosswind.

## Other reports on N5068X (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20081218853429I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081218853429I), Dec 18, 2008: Bbavia 7KCAB (N5068X), Shallowater, TX, Minor damage. The pilot landed on a grass runway of approximately 150 degrees direction with a right quartering headwind. During rollout on this landing the aircraft exited…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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