# NTSB CHI96LA181: Champion 7GCBC, N396BG, Des Moines, IA, May 29, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1996, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Des Moines, IA
- Coordinates: 41.53075, -93.659637 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5307&lon=-93.6596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10262
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10262/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA181

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadvertent use of the brakes which resulted in a loss of directional control.  A factor associated with the accident was the ravine which the airplane traveled down.

## 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
  - brakes(normal) - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ravine (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot inadvertently applied the brakes while recovering from a bounced landing.  The airplane traveled off the right side of the runway and down a ravine where it nosed over upon contacting a ditch.

## Factual narrative

On May 29, 1996, at 1800 central daylight time, a Champion 7GCBC, operated by a private-instrument rated pilot, nosed over following a loss of directional control on landing at the Des Moines International Airport, Des Moines, Iowa.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured.  The local flight originated from Osceola, Iowa, at 1650 cdt.

The pilot reported that he must have flared "to flat" because the airplane touched down hard and bounced back into the air during landing.  He stated he added power to "smooth out the ensuing touchdown."  He reported that he must have inadvertently applied the brakes during the landing and that is what caused the airplane to veer off the south side of the runway.  The airplane traveled into a ravine where it nosed over upon contacting a ditch at the bottom of the ravine.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N396BG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N396BG), registered now, S/N 1216-96 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Champion 7GCBC
- Registry model: [American Champion 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-champion-7gcbc) (registry code 21101PL) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1216-96
- Airframe hours: 8
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert M. Garnett
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 17, 1995, 8 hours before
- Departed: I75, OSCEOLA, IA
- Destination: DMS
- Airport: DSM, Des Moines, runway 13R, 3,202 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,219 total, 17 in this make and model, 1,075 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19960529011889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960529011889A), May 29, 1996: Bbavia 7GCBC, Des Moines, IA, Substantial damage. Aircraft veered off runway to the right and flipped over.

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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