# NTSB ATL94LA145: Champion 7-GCBC, N5105X, Hartford, AL, July 22, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1994, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Hartford, AL
- Coordinates: 31.100418, -85.689903 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1004&lon=-85.6899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3423
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3423/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA145

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE WHEEL BRAKES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING WHEEL LANDINGS IN THE TAILWHEEL EQUIPPED AIRPLANE. HE STATED THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL, HE APPLIED THE WHEEL BRAKES TOO SOON. A NOSE OVER RESULTED FRACTURING THE WING SPAR. THE PILOT ALSO STATED THAT HIS RECENT WHEEL LANDINGS HAD BEEN IN ANOTHER AIRPLANE WITH LESS EFFECTIVE BRAKES.

## Factual narrative

On July 22, 1994, about 1800  central daylight time, a Champion BL-7-GCBC, N5105X, nosed over during the landing roll at a private airstrip at Hartford, Alabama. The airplane was operated by the owner/pilot under 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. A flight plan was not filed for the local, personal flight. There was substantial damage to the airplane, and the pilot was not injured. Origination of the flight was the same private airstrip at 1730.

The pilot stated that he was performing wheel landings in the tailwheel equipped Champion. During the landing roll, he applied the wheel brakes too soon. A nose over resulted, and the right wing struck the ground fracturing the main spar. He stated that his recent wheel landings had been in another airplane which had less effective brakes.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5105X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5105X), registered now, S/N 150, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7-GCBC
- 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: 150
- Airframe hours: 2334
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Holman, Jerry P.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 1994, 51 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Holman Field, runway 24, 1,800 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 5,208 total, 53 in this make and model, 3,924 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DHN, 20 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 19940722019559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940722019559A), Jul 22, 1994: Bbavia 7GCBC, Hartford, AL, Substantial damage. Nosed over on private grass strip during a wheel landing. Hit brakes too hard. Impact broke wing spar.

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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