# NTSB ATL05CA036: Champion 7-GCAA, N9588S, Talladega, AL, December 29, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 29, 2004, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Talladega, AL - Coordinates: 33.571945, -86.051391 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5719&lon=-86.0514&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Birmingham FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60821 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL05CA036 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60821/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05CA036 ## Probable cause The binding right wheel brake that resulted in a loss of control during landing roll. A factor was the drainage ditch. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - landing gear,normal brake system - binding(mechanical) (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the pilot, upon making a three-point landing the airplane veered aggressively to the right. He applied full left rudder with no success. He then applied full power to possibly regain rudder control with no success. He stated that the airplane continued to the right crossing a taxiway and impacting a drainage ditch before coming to a stop. The pilot did not report any flight control problems prior to landing. The pilot stated that he recently got his tailwheel signoff and had accumulated about 23 hours of total time in this airplane. Examination of the right main landing gear by a local mechanic found that the brake pucks were new and that the right main wheel had some drag to it from the new brakes. However, he continued to say that the wheel and brake were not locked, it simply would not "turn freely." ## Factual narrative On December 29, 2004 at 1030 central standard time, a Champion 7GCAA, N9588S, registered to and operated by the private pilot collided into a ditch during landing roll on runway 21, at the Talladega Municipal Airport in Talladega, Alabama. The flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot and passenger were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from Murray, Kentucky at 0735, on December 29, 2004. According to the pilot, upon making a three-point landing the airplane veered aggressively to the right. He applied full left rudder with no success. He then applied full power to possibly regain rudder control with no success. He stated that the airplane continued to the right crossing a taxiway and collided with a drainage ditch before coming to a stop. Examination of the airplane found 8-inches of one propeller blade separated, both main landing gear sheared off and the under-belly and wing struts were damaged. The pilot did not report any flight control problems prior to landing. Examination of the right main landing gear by a local Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) mechanic found that the brake pucks were new and that the right main wheel had some drag to it from the new brakes. However, he continued to say that the wheel and brake were not locked, it simply would not "turn freely." The pilot stated that he recently got his tailwheel sign-off and had accumulated about 23 hours of total time in this airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9588S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9588S-2016-09-22), registration cancelled 2016-09-22, S/N 7, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7-GCAA - Registry model: [Champion 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcaa) (registry code 21101N8) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7 - Airframe hours: 2018 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ronnie Geurin - Registered owner: Ronnie C. Geurin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2004, 31 hours before - Departed: CEY, Murray, KY - Destination: TGA, Talladega, AL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review December 20, 2004; seat: front; flight hours: 768 total, 23 in this make and model, 682 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.50 inHg - Observed at: BHM ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20041229032339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041229032339A), Dec 29, 2004: Bbavia 7GCAA, Talladega, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that the aircraft veered hard to the right on landing. He then applied full power, but lost control and went through a ditch causing the… ## Other investigations on N9588S (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 ERA14LA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA222), May 4, 2014: Champion 7GCAA (N9588S), Bardwell, KY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed while maneuvering shortly after takeoff, resulting in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall,… 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. --- 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.