# NTSB CEN20CA192: Champion 7GCBC, N5183X, Carbondale, IL, May 22, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 22, 2020, 11:23 local (16:23 UTC)
- Place: Carbondale, IL
- Coordinates: 37.778057, -89.251945 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7781&lon=-89.2519&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Springfield FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 101325
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA192
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101325/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101325
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA192

## Probable cause

The pilot's excessive brake input while he attempted to maintain directional control during landing roll.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7GCBC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=21101PK), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7GCBC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=21101PK), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/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 7GCBC, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=21101PK), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7GCBC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=21101PK), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Champion 7GCBC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=21101PK), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Champion 7GCBC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=21101PK), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the accident occurred during a wheel landing in the tailwheel-equipped airplane on a hard surface runway. The pilot stated that upon touchdown the airplane began to swerve side-to-side due to the airplane's "natural instability" on the ground. The pilot attempted to maintain directional control by pulling full aft on the control stick and applying maximum braking; however, his excessive brake input while the airplane was in a level pitch attitude caused the airplane to pitch down and the propeller to impact the runway before the airplane pivoted back onto the tailwheel. The airplane came to rest upright on the runway. The tailwheel crushed the lower portion of the rudder when it landed hard on the runway. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident examination confirmed flight control continuity and found no issues with the wheel brakes or the tailwheel.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that the accident occurred during a wheel landing in the tailwheel-equipped airplane on a hard surface runway. The pilot stated that upon touchdown the airplane began to swerve side-to-side due to the airplane's "natural instability" on the ground. The pilot attempted to maintain directional control by pulling full aft on the control stick and applying maximum braking; however, his excessive brake input while the airplane was in a level pitch attitude caused the airplane to pitch down and the propeller to impact the runway before the airplane pivoted back onto the tailwheel. The airplane came to rest upright on the runway. The tailwheel crushed the lower portion of the rudder when it landed hard on the runway. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident examination confirmed flight control continuity and found no issues with the wheel brakes or the tailwheel.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5183X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5183X), registered now, S/N 170, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Champion 7GCBC (No Series)
- 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: 170
- Year built: 1969
- Airframe hours: 2035
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 2019, 98 hours before
- Departed: MDH, Carbondale, IL
- Destination: MDH, Carbondale, IL
- Airport: MDH, Southern Illinois Airport, runway 18R, 3,498 × 60 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 7, 2018; seat: rear; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 462 total, 84 in this make and model, 349 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observed at: MDH

## 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 20200522001959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200522001959A), May 22, 2020: Champion 7GCBC, Carbondale, IL, Substantial damage. On the morning of 05/22/2020 at 11:40 local time the pilot of N5183X was practicing takeoff and landings at the Carbondale/Murphysboro Airport kmdh on runway…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 29, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101325. 1.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 902 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484955&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Pilot Statement (James Story) (item 2, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484956&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20(James%20Story)-Master.PDF
- Passenger Statement (Steven Goetz) (item 3, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484957&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statement%20(Steven%20Goetz)-Master.PDF
- FAA Inspector Statement (Michael Veselka) (item 4, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484958&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement%20(Michael%20Veselka)-Master.PDF
- Weather Reports (item 5, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484959&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-Master.PDF
- Photos (item 6, .PDF, 272 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484960&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.

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