# NTSB CHI97LA080: Champion 7GCB, N9950Y, Two Harbors, MN, March 9, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 9, 1997, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Two Harbors, MN - Coordinates: 47.02906, -91.669815 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0291&lon=-91.6698&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10525 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA080 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10525/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA080 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. Factors relating to the accident were: the gusty crosswind condition, and the snowbank. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - go-around - initiated, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - aborted ## Analysis The pilot reported he was touching down on runway 24 when a gust of wind caused the right wing to lift. He was unable to lower the wing using aileron control, so he decided to abort the landing. He reported that the airplane veered to the right as it lifted off. The airplane then nosed over after contacting a snowbank along the right side of the runway. The airport manager reported that the wind was varying between 260 and 320 degrees, at 19 to 26 knots around the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On March 9, 1997, at 1030 central standard time, a Champion 7GCB, N9950Y, registered to and operated by a private pilot collided with a snowbank and flipped over while landing at the Two Harbors/Helgeson Airport, Two Harbors, Minnesota. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured. The local flight originated from the Two Harbors/Helgeson Airport at 0945 cst. The pilot stated he was landing on runway 24 (4,400' x 75') with strong gusty winds from the right. He reported that the right main gear touched down and as he was lowering the tail the left main touched down. At this same time, a gust of wind rose the right wing. He reported he was unable to bring the wing back down using the ailerons so he elected to abort the landing. He reported that as the airplane lifted off it drifted to the right of the runway where it nosed over after contacting a snowbank. The local winds were reported at 1035 cst as being from 270 degrees at 17 knots, gusting to 24 knots. Twenty minutes earlier the local winds were reported as being from 280 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 20 knots. The airport manager reported that the winds were varying from 260 to 320 degrees at 19 to 26 knots around the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9950Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9950Y), registered now, S/N 7GCB-156 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7GCB - Registry model: [Champion 7GCB](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcb) (registry code 21101PC) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7GCB-156 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Joseph A. Miller - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: TWM - Airport: TWM, Two Harbors-Helgeson, runway 24, 4,400 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 575 total, 64 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 17 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: TWM ## 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 19970309002679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970309002679A), Mar 9, 1997: Bbavia 7GCB, Two Harbors, MN, Substantial damage. Inability to control aircraft in the wind conditions. Lost directional control. Hit snow bank and nosed over. (-23) 03/09/97, 1030 LCL. While attempting to… ## Other investigations on N9950Y (2) 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. - [NTSB MKC69F0238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC69F0238), Jan 8, 1967: Champion 7GCB (N9950Y), Bassett, NE, substantial damage - [NTSB MKC67F0097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC67F0097), Jul 28, 1966: Champion 7GC (N9950Y), Axtell, NE, substantial damage 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.