# NTSB investigations: American Champion 8KCAB

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA26FA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA067.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Irvington, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Dec 13, 2025 · N157WB · Substantial damage
  > On December 13, 2025, about 1145 central standard time, an American Champion Decathlon, N157WB, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Roy E. Ray Airfield (5R7), Bayou La Batre, Alabama. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The airplane…
- [NTSB WPR25LA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA272.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Jamesburg, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Aug 31, 2025 · N15WJ · Substantial damage
  > On August 31, 2025, about 1100 Pacific daylight time, an American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon 177, N3357T, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Jamesburg, California. The pilot and pilot rated passenger sustained minor…
- [NTSB WPR25LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA149.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Mojave, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 2, 2025 · N538EE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during climb out from an aborted landing.
- [NTSB CEN23LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA121.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Oklahoma City, OK · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 20, 2023 · N303SB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing, that resulted in a runway excursion, and an impact with an obstacle.
- [NTSB CEN22FA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22FA019.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Marengo, WI · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 23, 2021 · N843AC · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the steep turn, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall. Also causal was the pilot’s decision to conduct steep turns without sufficient altitude to…
- [NTSB CEN21LA468](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA468.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Beaumont, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 18, 2021 · N2468W · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to maintain aircraft control during the turn to final approach resulting in a rapid descent and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA21FA355](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA355.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Rhine, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Sep 12, 2021 · N390PE · Substantial damage
  > A collision with trees during a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver for unknown reasons.
- [NTSB CEN20LA389](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA389.md): Champion 8KCAB · Groton, SD · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 13, 2020 · N83DH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control during a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver.
- [NTSB GAA17CA391](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA391.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Ferguson, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 1, 2017 · N157WB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in crosswind conditions.
- [NTSB CEN17WA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17WA161.md): Champion 8KCAB · Cancun, Mexico · Accident · 1 fatal · Foreign investigation · Apr 14, 2017 · N65SE · Destroyed
  > The accident investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the Mexican government. This report is for informational purposes only and contains only information released by or obtained from the Mexican government. Further information pertaining to…
- [NTSB GAA16CA426](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA426.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Cordova, SC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 24, 2016 · N68JK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading, which resulted in the airplane not being aligned with the runway and a subsequent runway excursion.
- [NTSB GAA16CA281](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA281.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Black Diamond, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 4, 2016 · N244SF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's abnormal runway contact during the landing flare, which resulted in a porpoise, aerodynamic stall, impact with terrain, and nose over.
- [NTSB ERA14FA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14FA093.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Holland, NJ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 15, 2014 · N469J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in controlled flight into trees and terrain.
- [NTSB WPR13LA389](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA389.md): Champion 8KCAB · Wahiawa, HI · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 28, 2013 · N413JJ · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine and airframe did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
- [NTSB CEN13CA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA084.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Melbourne, AR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 1, 2012 · N63MY · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing.
- [NTSB ERA12CA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA220.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Beverly, MA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 4, 2012 · N7DF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion.
- [NTSB CEN12LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA112.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Marysville, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 22, 2011 · N161PC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient altitude from the terrain while performing low-level aerobatics.
- [NTSB ERA11CA488](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA488.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Leesburg, VA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 10, 2011 · N878AC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not follow the engine start checklist.
- [NTSB CEN11FA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11FA029.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Sebewaing, MI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 18, 2010 · N105AC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and aircraft control following a loss of engine power after takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN10LA380](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA380.md): Champion 8KCAB · Estes Park, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 8, 2010 · N56BC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to fly at a low altitude in mountainous terrain and weather conditions conducive to downdrafts.
- [NTSB WPR10LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA121.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Fallon, NV · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 27, 2010 · N101BY · Substantial damage
  > Interference between the front seat lap belt and the rear seat rudder/brake pedal assembly that prevented normal operation of the rudder/brake system, which resulted in the pilots’ inability to maintain directional control.
- [NTSB DEN06FA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN06FA018.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Calhan, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 21, 2005 · N70MT · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors contributing to the accident were the low altitude, and the resultant stall/spin.
- [NTSB LAX06FA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06FA005.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Oroville, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 10, 2005 · N943D · Destroyed
  > The certified flight instructor and the private pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while attempting a return to runway maneuver, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.
- [NTSB DFW05LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05LA041.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Texas City, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 19, 2004 · N992RS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain while performing aerobatics at a low altitude.
- [NTSB LAX04FA304](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04FA304.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Prescott, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 28, 2004 · N561ER · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > The failure of both pilots to maintain adequate clearance from each other while performing formation aerobatic maneuvers.
- [NTSB CHI03LA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA232.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Stephen, MN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 28, 2003 · N67ND · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the transmission line and the pilot's continued operation with known deficiencies in equipment. Factors to the accident were the power lines and the low altitude the pilot was flying at.
- [NTSB DEN02LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN02LA058.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Giddings, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 24, 2002 · N83DH · Substantial damage
  > the failure of the pilot to maintain aircraft control during the landing rollout. A contributing factor was the subsequent inadvertent ground loop of the airplane.
- [NTSB SEA02LA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA078.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Davenport, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 2, 2002 · N86AA · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the wind conditions during takeoff. Gusting wind was a factor.
- [NTSB MIA01FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01FA074.md): American 8KCAB · Leesburg, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 9, 2001 · N123WA · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot of N123WA and the failure of both pilots of N301NL to adequately insure visual separation between their aircraft and other aircraft in the landing pattern, resulting in a runway collision. Factors contributing to the accident were the…
- [NTSB CHI99LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA007.md): Bellanca 8KCAB · Superior, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 9, 1998 · N924TA · Destroyed
  > the pilot not maintaining clearance with the terrain, and his improper decision to enter maneuvers too close to the terrain. Factors contributing to this accident were the aerobatic maneuvers, the trees and the berm.
- [NTSB LAX98LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA004.md): American 8KCAB · Payson, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 4, 1997 · N69BP · Substantial damage
  > Directional control of the aircraft not maintained through the improper use of landing procedures/techniques. A factor in this accident was the pilot's training regarding the proper techniques to be used during landing.
- [NTSB CHI95FA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95FA191.md): Champion 8KCAB · Frankfort, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 21, 1995 · N109AC · Destroyed
  > the pilot-in-command's overconfidence in his personal ability in attempting to teach aerobatics, his lack of experience as a flight instructor, and allowing the airplane to get into a position where its never exceed speed and design stress limits were…
- [NTSB LAX95LA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA152.md): American Champion 8KCAB · Long Beach, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 1, 1995 · N111LS · Substantial damage
  > the failure and collapse of the left main landing gear due to a defective and improper weld by the manufacturer.

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('2121000'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?model=2121000

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OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.