# NTSB CEN14CA512: Champion 7GCAA, N2535F, Alpine, TX, September 7, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 7, 2014, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Alpine, TX - Coordinates: 30.068611, -103.4225 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0686&lon=-103.4225&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 13, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 90126 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA512 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90126/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90126 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA512 ## Probable cause The loss of airplane control during a precautionary landing resulting in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7GCAA, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=21101N8), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Champion 7GCAA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035000/cases.md?model=21101N8), [All aircraft, 65 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7GCAA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=21101N8), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7GCAA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=21101N8), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a cross country flight, the weather began to deteriorate. The pilot elected to turn back; however, the weather continued to deteriorate and the pilot elected to perform a forced landing to a dirt road. The pilot stated that it was raining and there was lightening all around. During the forced landing the airplane started to sink and hit the ground hard. The pilot stated that the left main landing gear was bent aft and the left wingtip hit the ground. There were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative During a cross country flight, the weather began to deteriorate. The pilot elected to turn back; however, the weather continued to deteriorate and the pilot elected to perform a forced landing to a dirt road. The pilot stated that it was raining and there was lightening all around. During the forced landing the airplane started to sink and hit the ground hard. The pilot stated that the left main landing gear was bent aft and the left wingtip hit the ground. There were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2535F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2535F), registered now, S/N 7GCAA-33, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7GCAA (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Champion 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcaa) (registry code 21101N8) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7GCAA-33 - Year built: 1965 - Airframe hours: 1005 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2014 - Departed: KODO, Odessa, TX - Destination: E38, Alpine, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 31, 2014; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 3,080 total, 2,200 in this make and model, 82 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 13 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 400 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: KE38 ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 29, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90126. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418316&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.