# NTSB CHI04CA242: Aeronca Champion 7GCBC, N9657S, Mullen, NE, September 12, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 12, 2004, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Mullen, NE
- Coordinates: 42.049999, -101.067497
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0500&lon=-101.0675&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 60293
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04CA242
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60293/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA242

## Probable cause

the failure of the pilot to maintain direction control during gusty wind conditions on landing.

## 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 - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

the aircraft was substantially damaged after nosing over after a gust of wind caught the tail wheel aircraft during landing. The pilot reported that "During rollout after landing a gust of wind pushed tail to left.  Left rudder and ultimately left brake was applied.  Aircraft nosed over on back."  The pilot reported the winds from the south southeast at 5 to 8 knots with gust from 10 to 12 knots.

## Factual narrative

On September 12,  2004, about 0900 mountain daylight time, an Aeronca Champion 7GCBC,  piloted by a private pilot was substantially damaged during landing on runway 9, (1200 feet by 20 feet, grass) at a private airport in Mullen, Nebraska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.  The pilot, the only occupant, was not injured.

The pilot reported that "During rollout after landing a gust of wind pushed tail to left.  Left rudder and ultimately left brake was applied.  Aircraft nosed over on back."

The pilot reported the winds from the south southeast at 5 to 8 knots with gust from 10 to 12 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9657S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9657S), registered now, S/N 26, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aeronca CHAMPION 7GCBC
- 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: 26
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Patrick S. Wright
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: MULLEN, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 203 total, 53 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 5 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 79 °F

## 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 20040912027339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040912027339A), Sep 12, 2004: Bbavia 7GCBC, Mullen, NE, Substantial damage. (-23) On September 12, 2004, at approximately 0900 MDT, Aeronca 7GCBC, N9657S, serial number 66, sustained substantial damage during the landing rollout on a…

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.