# NTSB ATL87LA091: Champion 7FC, N90398, Bellefontaine, OH, March 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 22, 1987, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Bellefontaine, OH
- Coordinates: 40.359081, -83.74971 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3591&lon=-83.7497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7392
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7392/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA091

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)
  - inadequate transition/upgrade training, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS LANDED ON RWY 04 WITH THE WIND FROM THE EAST AT EIGHT KTS. THE FLIGHT WAS THE FIRST SOLO IN A TAIL WHEEL EQUIPPED ACFT FOR THE PLT. HE HAD OBTAINED NO FORMAL INSTRUCTION IN A TAIL WHEEL ACFT BUT HAD FLOWN WITH A FRIEND. ON LANDING THE ACFT BOUNCED, TOUCHED DOWN AGAIN, AND YAWED RIGHT. THE ACFT RAN OFF THE RWY RIGHT SIDE AND COLLIDED WITH TREE. TO PREVENT THE ACCIDENT THE PLT RECOMMENDED OBTAINING ADDITIONAL TRAINING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N90398 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7FC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7FC-128
- Airframe hours: 2841
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kauffman,W.W.
- Registered owner: William W. Kauffman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 22, 1986
- Airport: 7I7, Bellefontaine Municipal, runway 4, 4,400 × 65 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 93 total, 6 in this make and model, 62 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAY, 45 nm away

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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