# NTSB CHI05CA096: Champion 7ECA, N11177, Mexico, MO, April 9, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 9, 2005, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Mexico, MO - Coordinates: 39.157501, -91.818336 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1575&lon=-91.8183&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 7, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - St. Louis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 61421 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05CA096 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61421/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA096 ## Probable cause The pilot inadvertently using the wrong runway for takeoff, which resulted in a tailwind condition. Factors to the accident were the tailwind, the aborted takeoff, the wet grass runway, and the road embankment. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - wrong runway - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor) - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor) - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane impacted a road embankment during an aborted takeoff. The pilot reported that before he boarded the airplane the winds were "200 degrees at 10 [knots]." The private airstrip consisted of a grass/turf, 1,300 foot long, north/south runway. The pilot stated that his intention was to depart from runway 18, but "because of distraction or whatever" he taxied to runway 36 and initiated the takeoff. The pilot reported, "I knew that I should be airborne or feeling very light by the time that I got to a bump about [halfway] down the runway from either direction. When I got to the bump without the tail coming up and with an indicated airspeed of about 35 mph I knew that something was seriously wrong and knew instantly what the problem was. I was taking-off with the wind." The pilot reported that he aborted the takeoff by reducing engine power to idle and braking. The pilot stated that the grass runway was wet with dew and the aircraft overran the end of the runway, impacting a road embankment. ## Factual narrative On April 9, 2005, at 0945 central daylight time, a Champion 7ECA, N11177, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted a road embankment during an aborted takeoff at a private airstrip near Mexico, Missouri. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and his passenger were not injured. The local area flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that before he boarded the airplane he noticed the wind was "coming from approximately 200 degrees at 10 [knots]." The private airstrip consisted of a grass/turf, 1,300 foot long, north/south runway. The pilot stated that his intention was to depart from runway 18, but "because of distraction or whatever" he taxied to runway 36 and initiated the takeoff. The pilot reported, "I knew that I should be airborne or feeling very light by the time that I got to a bump about [halfway] down the runway from either direction. When I got to the bump without the tail coming up and with an indicated airspeed of about 35 mph I knew that something was seriously wrong and knew instantly what the problem was. I was taking-off with the wind." The pilot reported that he aborted the takeoff by reducing engine power to idle and braking. The pilot stated that the grass runway was wet with dew and the aircraft overran the end of the runway, impacting a road embankment. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N11177](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N11177), registered now, S/N 7ECA-93, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7ECA - Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7ECA-93 - Airframe hours: 6912 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 2004, 67 hours before - Departed: PVT, Mexico, MO - Destination: PVT, Mexico, MO - Airport: PVT, Private Airstrip, runway 36, 1,320 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 22, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 600 total, 425 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: COU, 28 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 20050409009769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050409009769A), Apr 9, 2005: Bbavia 7ECA, Mexico, MO, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot attempted a takeoff with a significant tailwind. He aborted the takeoff run prior to rotation. He was unable to stop the aircraft before… 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.