# NTSB CEN26LA151: Champion 7GCB, N920CJ, Colorado Springs, CO, March 29, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 29, 2026, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Colorado Springs, CO - Coordinates: 38.94277, -104.5699 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9428&lon=-104.5699&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 May 21, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 202722 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA151 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202722/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202722 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA151 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff in gusty wind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7GCB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=21101PC), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Champion 7GCB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=21101PC), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Champion 7GCB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=21101PC), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7GCB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=21101PC), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while departing the runway in gusty wind conditions, he encountered a left crosswind and which deviated the airplane from his intended flight path. The pilot determined that he did not have enough time to recover and elected to land on an adjacent grass runway. Upon landing, the airplane’s left main landing gear touched down hard and collapsed resulting in substantial damage to the wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Additionally, he reported that the accident could have been prevented by maintaining conservative personal minimums for gusty and crosswind conditions and that continued training in gusty crosswinds can enhance safety. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N920CJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N920CJ), registered now, S/N 56, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: 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: 56 - Year built: 1960 - Airframe hours: 778 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jones Alva L - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 26, 2025 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: FLY, Meadow Lake, runway 16/34, 5,001 × 200 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 228.5 total, 179.7 in this make and model, 88.5 as pilot in command, 60.9 in the last 90 days, 20.8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 5 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KFLY - METAR: KFLY 291835Z AUTO 28005G15KT 10SM CLR 23/M06 A3015 RMK AO2 T02251065,M ## 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 20260329003469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260329003469A), Mar 29, 2026: Champion 7GCB, Peyton, CO, Substantial damage. During initial climb, aircraft encountered a gust of wind from the left. Aircraft deviated from intended flight path, pilot elected to land on adjacent grass… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 21, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202722. 5.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 5.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20299400&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=3-29-2026%20Incident%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 542 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20304214&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs_CEN26LA151-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. --- 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.