# NTSB CEN20CA391: Champion 8GCBC, N81BH, Ozark, AR, September 11, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 11, 2020, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Ozark, AR
- Coordinates: 35.677501, -93.732223 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6775&lon=-93.7322&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- 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
- NTSB case key (mKey): 101962
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA391
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101962/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101962
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA391

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a wire during final approach to landing.

## Findings

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

- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [American Champion 8GCBC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2121004), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [American Champion 8GCBC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2121004), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [American Champion 8GCBC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=2121004), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [American Champion 8GCBC, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2121004), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [American Champion 8GCBC, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2121004), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during the turn from base to final, the left wing struck a wire and the airplane rotated and hit the ground. The airplane's wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. He also stated that he should have maintained clearance from the obstructions.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81BH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N81BH), registered now, S/N 542-2011, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Champion 8GCBC (No Series)
- Registry model: [American Champion 8GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-champion-8gcbc) (registry code 2121004) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-C1G](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-c1g) (registry code 42284, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 542-2011
- Year built: 2011
- Airframe hours: 425
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-G1G 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2019
- Departed: 51AR, Ozark, AR
- Airport: 51AR, Byrd'S Backcountry Airstrip, runway 20, 900 × 50 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Onboard weather, Angle of attack indicator, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 2, 2020; seat: front; flight hours: 2,271.2 total, 235 in this make and model, 2,184.6 as pilot in command, 26.7 in the last 90 days, 15.1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observed at: KFYV, 29 nm away
- METAR: METAR KFYV 111853Z 00000KT 10SM BKN017 BKN080 OVC100 24/19 A3015 RMK AO2 SLP197 T02390194=

## 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 20200911009609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200911009609A), Sep 11, 2020: American Champion Aircraft 8GCBC, Ozark, AR, Substantial damage. On September, 11, 2020 at 1400 CST, the pilot of an American Champion Aircraft 8GCBC, N81BH was practicing for the arkanstol landing competition. Flying too…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 12, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101962. 2.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 7 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11409284&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20-%20Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 3 photos, 686 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11409294&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Docket%20Photos-Rel.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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