# NTSB ATL89LA156: Champion 7GCBC, N1652G, Myrtle Beach, SC, June 2, 1989 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 2, 1989, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Myrtle Beach, SC - Coordinates: 33.690982, -78.890098 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6910&lon=-78.8901&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 11, 1992 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8036 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA156 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8036/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA156 ## Probable cause THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION/MODIFICATION OF THE BANNER TOW SYSTEM, WHICH JAMMED THE RUDDER DURING A LANDING. THE WIND AND TERRAIN CONDITIONS WERE RELATED FACTORS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - glider launch/tow equipment - improper (cause) - maintenance,modification - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - flight control,rudder - jammed (cause) - directional control - not possible - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis AFTER DROPPING A BANNER, THE PLT ELECTED TO MAKE A 3-POINT LNDG AT A SMALL PVT ARPT WITH THE WND GUSTING TO 15 KTS. HE RPRTD THAT JUST BEFORE TOUCHDOWN, THE ACFT ENCTRD A DOWNDRAFT & HE INCREASED BACK PRESSURE ON THE CONTROL STICK TO BREAK THE DESCENT. THE ACFT CONTACTED THE RWY TAIL 1ST & BOUNCED SLIGHTLY. IT THEN SWERVED TO THE LEFT, WENT OFF THE RWY & NOSED OVER IN AN ADJACENT BEAN FIELD. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE RUDDER HAD CONTACTED ONE OF THE BANNER TOW HOOKS & WAS JAMMED TO THE LEFT. THE BANNER TOW INSTALLATION HAD RECENTLY BEEN MODIFIED FROM A SINGLE HOOK TO A MULTIPLE HOOK SYS. IN A LETTER DATED 5/31/89, THE FAA NOTIFIED THE FACILITY WHICH PERFORMED THE MODIFICATION THAT THE MULTIPLE HOOK INSTALLATION COULD NOT BE APPROVED AS SUBMITTED (ON FAA FORM 337). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1652G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1652G), registered now, S/N 122, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7GCBC - Registry model: [Champion 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcbc) (registry code 21101PK) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 122 - Airframe hours: 2575 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Operator: Barnstormers Flt. Signs, Inc - Registered owner: Barnstormer Flite Signs, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 1989, 64 hours before - Airport: Barnstormer Field, runway 23, 2,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 852 total, 65 in this make and model, 788 as pilot in command, 142 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 10 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MYR, 15 nm away ## 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 19890602014079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890602014079A), Jun 2, 1989: Bbavia 7GCBC, Myrtle Beach, SC, Substantial damage. Landed hard tail first due to short field. Rudder jammed in non standard tow hook. Swerved off runway. Nosed over. ## Other investigations on N1652G (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 CHI92LA189](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA189), Jun 25, 1992: Champion 7GCBC (N1652G), Oxford, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN TAIL WHEEL AIRPLANES AND THE GUSTY… 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.