# NTSB ATL07CA053: Champion 7ECA, N9596S, Oliver Springs, TN, March 20, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 20, 2007, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Oliver Springs, TN
- Coordinates: 36.0375, -84.3063888888889
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0375&lon=-84.3064&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Nashville FSDO-03
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65524
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL07CA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65524/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07CA053

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance, resulting in an in-flight collision with an airport sign.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - airport sign/marker
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

The pilot he was practicing full stop landings.  On his fifth landing he flew a left hand pattern for the runway.  He performed a slip on final approach and realized that the airplane was too low and also short of the runway. He added power, and believed he would be able to make the landing on the runway. During the landing flare the right main gear collided with a runway marker sign. As the airplane settled onto the runway, it veered off to the right side and collided with a ditch. The pilot did not report any flight control or mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident. Examination by an FAA inspector revealed that the right main landing gear was separated from the fuselage. Further examination revealed that the airplane's firewall and fuselage were buckled.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot he was practicing full stop landings at the Oliver Springs Airport, Oliver Springs, Tennessee. On his fifth landing he flew a left hand pattern for runway 15. He performed a slip on final approach and realized that the airplane was too low and also short of the runway. He added power, and believed he would be able to make the landing on the runway. During the landing flare the right main gear collided with a runway marker sign. As the airplane settled onto the runway, it veered off to the right side and collided with a ditch. The pilot did not report any flight control or mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident. Examination by an FAA inspector revealed that the right main landing gear was separated from the fuselage. Further examination revealed that the airplane's firewall and fuselage were buckled.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9596S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Champion 7ECA
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7ECA-277
- Airframe hours: 1541.26
- Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Micheal J. Matvy
- Registered owner: Flying 64th Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2006, 28 hours before
- Departed: TN08, OLIVER SPRINGS, TN
- Destination: TN08, OLIVER SPRINGS, TN
- Airport: TN08, Oliver Springs Inc, runway 15, 2,800 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2006; seat: front; flight hours: 165 total, 24 in this make and model, 88 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.37 inHg
- Observed at: KTYS

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.

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