# Accident 20260727010999A: American Champion Aircraft 7GCBC, Sanford, ME, July 27, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 27, 2026, 11:50 local time
- Place: Sanford, ME
- Airport: Sanford Seacoast Regional
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Rollout
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 43.3915° N, 70.7085° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3915&lon=-70.7085&mi=10
- Aircraft: N291CA, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N291CA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: American Champion 7GCBC (registry code 21101PL, https://openairdocs.org/model/american-champion-7gcbc) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AMERICAN CHAMPION AIRCRAFT 7GCBC
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 359 total, 3 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA26LA282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA282) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260727010999A

## Narrative

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

DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT FROM A 3-POINT LANDING THE PILOT UNDER INSTRUCTION SEEKING A TAILWHEEL ENDORSEMENT OVERCONTROLLED THE RUDDER FIRST WITH A SUDDEN, LARGE RIGHT INPUT FOLLOWED BY WHAT FELT LIKE FULL LEFT RUDDER OR INADVERTENT BRAKE APPLICATION TOO QUICKLY FOR THE INSTURCTOR TO COUNTERACT. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT AND GROUND LOOPED, DEPARTED THE PAVEMENT AND CAME TO REST FACING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION FROM THE LANDING.

## 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 ERA26LA282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA282), Jul 27, 2026: American Champion 7GCBC (N291CA), Sanford, ME, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing and the flight instructor’s inadequate remedial action, which resulted in a ground loop.

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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