# NTSB CEN13LA518: American Champion 7GCB, N9967Y, Pearsall, TX, September 2, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 2, 2013, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Pearsall, TX - Coordinates: 28.822221, -99.108886 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.8222&lon=-99.1089&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report February 3, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 87942 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13LA518 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87942/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87942 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA518 ## Probable cause The failure of the rudder cable due to electrical arcing damage from contact with an unguarded battery and the pilot's subsequent loss of control during the go-around. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7GCB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=21101PC), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7GCB, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=21101PC), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Electrical power system: battery/charger](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022432): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not specified; cases with it: [Champion 7GCB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022432/cases.md?model=21101PC), [All aircraft, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022432/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7GCB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md?model=21101PC), [All aircraft, 410 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Champion 7GCB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=21101PC), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Champion 7GCB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=21101PC), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis While in flight, the rudder cable separated. The pilot was able to return to the airport and align the airplane to land. During the landing flare, the airplane began to drift and the pilot was not able to correct the drift. The pilot initiated a go-around; however, the airplane then entered an aerodynamic stall and subsequently impacted the ground. Examination of the rudder cable separation area found localized melting, darkening, and oxidation consistent with electrical arcing. The elongation and oxidation of the overstressed wires was consistent with separation at high temperature. According to the pilot, the passenger had gotten his foot caught in the rudder cable. The pilot believed that the rudder cable came in contact with the battery at that time; the battery box did not have a cover, and the positive terminal of the battery was unguarded. The contact would have resulted in the electrical arcing and the subsequent cable separation. ## Factual narrative On September 2, 2013, about 1600 central daylight time, an American Champion 7GCB, N9967Y, was substantially damaged during a go-around at McKinley Field Airport (T30), Pearsall, Texas. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The local flight originated at 1545. According to the pilot, the rudder cable separated in flight. The pilot was able to return to the airport and align the airplane to land on runway 31. During the landing flare the airplane began to drift and the pilot was not able to correct the drift. The pilot initiated a go-around, stalled the airplane, and subsequently impacted terrain. Both wings and the fuselage were substantially damaged. The right rear rudder cable was visually examined in the National Transportation Safety Board Materials Laboratory. The cable had separated through the wire rope section about 68 inches from the forward end and 101 inches from the aft end. The wire rope section had a nominal 1/8 inch diameter and was composed of 7 strands, each containing 19 wires. The examinations of the separation area found melting of all wires on 3 strands and several individual melted wires on the other 4 strands. The adjacent 2 ½ inches of the cable displayed darkening and oxidation consistent with localized high temperature exposure. The remaining wires in the cable displayed fractures indicative of overstress with significant elongation at the points of separation. The melting and localized heating were consistent with electrical arcing. The elongation and oxidation of the overstressed wires was consistent with separation at high temperature. According to the pilot, the passenger had gotten his foot caught in the rudder cable and believed that the rudder cable came in contact with the battery at that time. A photograph of the battery box, provided by the Federal Aviation Administration, illustrated that the battery box did not have a cover and the positive terminal of the battery was unguarded. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9967Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9967Y), registered now, S/N 7GCB-177, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AMERICAN CHAMPION 7GCB - Registry model: [Champion 7GCB](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcb) (registry code 21101PC) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7GCB-177 - Airframe hours: 2080 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, September 2, 2012 - Departed: T30, Pearsall, TX - Destination: T30, Pearsall, TX - Airport: T30, Mc Kinley Field Airport, runway 31, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 17,761 total, 10 in this make and model, 17,700 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 10 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 102 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: KCOT, 23 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 20130902023309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130902023309A), Sep 2, 2013: Champion 7GCB, Pearsall, TX, Destroyed. Pilot reported during a local flight the right rudder cable broke, was able to return to the airport. During the approach to the runway he was able to maintain… ## Other investigations on N9967Y (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 MKC88LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA011), Oct 8, 1987: Champion 7GCB (N9967Y), Warrensburg, MO, substantial damage ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 13, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87942. 6.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 342 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40400163&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Materials Laboratory Report (item 2, .PDF, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404834&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%20Report-Master.PDF - Photograph 01 - Overall rudder cable with separation (item 3, .PDF, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404835&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%2001%20-%20Overall%20rudder%20cable%20with%20separation-Master.PDF - Photograph 02 - Rudder Cable (item 4, .PDF, 409 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404836&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%2002%20-%20Rudder%20Cable-Master.PDF - Photograph 03 - Rudder Cable (item 5, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404837&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%2003%20-%20Rudder%20Cable-Master.PDF - Photograph 04 - Battery Box and Cables (Provided by FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404860&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%2004%20-%20Battery%20Box%20and%20Cables%20(Provided%20by%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.