# NTSB CHI03LA042: Champion 7ECA, N2557F, Faulkton, SD, November 11, 2002

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 11, 2002, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Faulkton, SD
- Coordinates: 45.031944, -99.115554
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0319&lon=-99.1156&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 56229
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56229/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA042

## Probable cause

The directional control not maintained during an after landing taxi on the runway by the student pilot.  The student pilot's lack of experience and downhill terrain off the runway were contributing factors.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - from landing
  - lack of experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
- Nose over, taxi - from landing

## Analysis

The airplane received substantial damage when it veered off the runway during an after landing taxi on the runway.  The airplane then went downhill into a gully and nosed over.  The airplane was piloted by a student pilot on a solo flight.  The student pilot accumulated a total flight time of 23.7 hours, of which 5.8 hours was solo flight time.

## Factual narrative

On November 11, 2002, at 1300 central standard time, a Champion 7ECA, N2557F, operated by Faulk County Flying Club as an instructional airplane, received substantial damage during taxi after landing at Faulkton Municipal Airport (3FU), Faulkton, South Dakota.  The airplane was being piloted by a student pilot when it veered off the runway and nosed over during taxi.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed on the day of the accident.  The student solo flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91.  The student pilot reported no injuries.  The flight originated from 3FU.

The student pilot stated that he just completed the best landing ever made.  The airplane veered off the runway while taxiing, went downhill into a gully, and nosed over.

The student pilot accumulated a total flight time of 23.7 hours, of which 5.8 hours was solo flight time.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2557F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2557F-2014-09-22), registration cancelled 2014-09-22, S/N 186, built 1966 (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: 186
- Engines: Lycoming O235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Faulk County Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Departed: 3FU, Faulkton, SD
- Destination: 3FU
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: 3FU, Faulkton Muni, runway 31, 3,000 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 24 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: ABR, 31 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 20021111034449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021111034449A), Nov 11, 2002: Bbavia 7ECA, Faulkton, SD, Substantial damage. (-23) On November 11, 2002 (time unknown) a champ 7ECA owned by faulk county flying club was operated by dean edward bowar. The aircraft ran off the runway…

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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