# NTSB CHI00LA011: Champion 7ECA, N8353V, Grand Ledge, MI, October 15, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 15, 1999, 19:05 local (23:05 UTC) - Place: Grand Ledge, MI - Coordinates: 42.749019, -84.740928 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7490&lon=-84.7409&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47571 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00LA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47571/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA011 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. Factors associated with the accident were the gusty crosswind and the tree which the airplane contacted. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - Main gear collapsed, other - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot made two touch and go landings on runway 18, prior to landing on runway 27. He said the southerly wind had decreased and he kept the '...wing lowered...' during the approach. The airplane touched down 'lightly' and 'floated' for about 100 feet when a gust of wind from 170 degrees caused the airplane to weather-vane to a heading 45 degrees from the runway. The pilot attempted remedial action, but the airplane departed the south side of the runway into the grass where the right wing contacted and tree and the right main gear collapsed. Winds reported 10 minutes prior to the accident at an airport 8 miles east of the accident airport were from 170 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 19 knots. ## Factual narrative On October 15, 1999, at 1905 eastern daylight time, a Champion 7ECA, N8353V, collided with a tree following a loss of control during a landing roll on runway 27 (3,200' x 75', asphalt) at the Abrams Municipal Airport, Grand Ledge, Michigan. The private pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The 14 CFR Part 91 local flight originated from Grand Ledge, Michigan, at 1855 edt. The pilot reported he made two touch and go landings on runway 18, turf, prior to landing on runway 27. He said the southerly wind had decreased and he kept the "...wing lowered..." during the approach. He reported the airplane touched down "lightly" and "floated" for about 100 feet when a gust of wind from 170 degrees caused the airplane to weather-vane to a heading 45 degrees from the runway. The pilot reported he applied throttle and right rudder, but the airplane departed the south side of the runway into the grass. He reported he applied brakes; however, the right wing of the airplane contacted a tree which was located approximately 75 feet off the side of the runway. The right main gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest in the grass. The winds reported at the Capital City Airport, Lansing, Michigan, at 1855 edt, were from 170 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 19 knots. At 1955 edt, the winds were reported as being from 170 degrees at 12 knots. The Capital City Airport is located approximately 8 miles east of the Abrams Municipal Airport. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8353V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8353V), registered now, S/N 294 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7ECA - Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 294 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Norbert O. Anderson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 25, 1998 - Departed: 4D0 - Destination: 4D0 - Airport: 4D0, Abrams Municipal, runway 27, 3,200 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 550 total, 300 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 170° at 10 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LAN, 8 nm away ## 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 19991015030679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991015030679A), Oct 15, 1999: Bbavia 7ECA, Grand Ledge, MI, Substantial damage. (.19) On October 15, 1999, at 1905 eastern daylight time, a champion 7ECA, N8353V, collided with a tree following a loss of control during a landing roll on… 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.