# Accident 20260204001109A: Champion 7ECA, St. George, UT, February 4, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 4, 2026, 12:45 local time
- Place: St. George, UT
- Airport: St. George Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.0369° N, 113.5096° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0369&lon=-113.5096&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9976Y, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9976Y) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Champion 7ECA (registry code 21101NN, https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental 0-200 series (registry code 17020, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7ECA
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR 0-200 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 93 total, 6 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR26LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA096) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260204001109A

## Narrative

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

PILOT WAS CONDUCTING SOLO TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS. ON THE FINAL LANDING THE PILOT WAS NOT ACCUSTOM TO THE HEAL BRAKES IN THE FRONT SEAT. AS THE PILOT USE LEFT RUDDER INPUT THE PILOT INADVERTLY USED TO MUCH LEFT BRAKE THIS CAUSED THE LEFT BRAKE TO LOCK UP AND THE AIRCRAFT SWERVED TO THE LEFT CAUSING A GROUND LOOP AND SUBSEQUENT PROP STRIKE. AFTER THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO A FULL STOP IN A TAIL HIGH ATTITUDE THE TAIL OF THE AIRCRAFT MADE CONTACT WITH THE GROUND CAUSING SUBSTAINTAL DAMAGE TO THE RUDDER.

## 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 WPR26LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA096), Feb 4, 2026: Champion 7ECA (N9976Y), St. George, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper application of brakes, which resulted in a nose over.

## Other reports on N9976Y (2)

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

- [Incident 20070916831559I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070916831559I), Sep 16, 2007: Bbavia 7ECA (N9976Y), Harvey, ND, Minor damage. (-23) The pilot of this flight is a student pilot with an expired student pilot/medical certificate conducted a cross country flight for which he was not…
- [Incident 19800405045849I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800405045849I), Apr 5, 1980: Bbavia 7ECA (N9976Y), Minneapolis, MN, Minor damage. Taxiing aircraft struck parked aircraft while taxiing to be fueled.

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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