# NTSB CEN20CA138: Champion Aeronca 7FC, N3JZ, Hessel, MI, April 2, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 2, 2020, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Hessel, MI - Coordinates: 46.035556, -84.417778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.0356&lon=-84.4178&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 29, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 101141 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101141/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101141 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA138 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control during landing in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a snowbank. ## 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 AERONCA 7FC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2110162), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion AERONCA 7FC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2110162), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion AERONCA 7FC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2110162), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion AERONCA 7FC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2110162), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: snow/ice](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion AERONCA 7FC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md?model=2110162), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Champion AERONCA 7FC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2110162), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion AERONCA 7FC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2110162), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Champion AERONCA 7FC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2110162), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Champion AERONCA 7FC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2110162), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Champion AERONCA 7FC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2110162), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Champion AERONCA 7FC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2110162), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he attempted a three-point, full-stall landing with a right-quartering headwind of about 10 to 15 knots. During the landing roll, the airplane encountered an unanticipated wind gust that raised the right wing and turned the airplane about 30° to the right. The pilot attempted to correct, but the airplane exited the right side of the runway and impacted a snowbank. The airplane then decelerated rapidly and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and wing strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he attempted a three-point, full stall landing, with a right-quartering headwind of about 10 to 15 knots. During rollout, the pilot experienced an unanticipated wind gust that raised the right wing and turned the airplane about 30° to the right. The pilot attempted to correct, but the airplane exited the right side of the runway and contacted a snowbank. The airplane decelerated rapidly and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and wing strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3JZ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3JZ), registered now, S/N 7FC-212 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion AERONCA 7FC (No Series) - Registry model: [Champion AERONCA 7FC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-aeronca-7fc) (registry code 2110162) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7FC-212 - Year built: 1958 - Airframe hours: 2560 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 2019 - Departed: 5Y1, Hessel, MI - Destination: 5Y1, Hessel, MI - Airport: 5Y1, Albert J Lindberg, runway 27, 3,700 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 14, 2019; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 122 total, 51 in this make and model, 72 as pilot in command, 0.2 in the last 90 days, 0.2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 9 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg ## 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 20200402000479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200402000479A), Apr 2, 2020: Champion AERONCA 7FC, Hessel, MI, Substantial damage. On April 2, 2020 at 18:40 eastern daylight time (EDT), an Aeronca 7FC aircraft, N3JZ, [privacy data omitted] and operated by a private pilot for a personal… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 21, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101141. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482753&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 180 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482754&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.