# NTSB CHI97LA092: Champion 7ECA, N11023, South St. Paul, MN, March 27, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 26, 1997, 18:45 local (Mar 27, 1997, 00:45 UTC) - Place: South St. Paul, MN - Coordinates: 44.950901, -93.089637 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9509&lon=-93.0896&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10535 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA092 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10535/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA092 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind and his failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance which resulted in collision with a snowbank. The pilot's lack of recent experience, the crosswind, and snowbank are 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, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, go-around (vfr) - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) - Nose over, go-around (vfr) ## Analysis The pilot was executing touch and go landings for flight proficiency. The pilot was using runway 16 and a right crosswind existed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that when the airplane was approximately 2,500 feet down the runway the tail cocked to the right, and that he was unable to straighten out the airplane before it went off the runway. The pilot initiated a go around, however the airplane struck a snow drift along the runway and flipped over. This was the pilot's first flight in the past 90 days, and he did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On March 26, 1997, at 1845 central standard time (cst), a Champion 7ECA, N11023, was substantially damaged during the execution of touch and go landings, at the South St. Paul Airport, South St. Paul, Minnesota. During the go around from the second landing, the airplane hit a snowbank, and flipped over. The commercial rated pilot was uninjured in the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight. The flight originated from the South St. Paul Airport at 1830 cst. The pilot reported on the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, and in a written statement that he was executing touch and go landings for flight proficiency. The pilot was using runway 16 at the time of the accident. The pilot reported the winds at 230 degrees at 10 to 12 knots. The local automated weather observation station reported the winds at 1835 cst at 270 degrees at five knots. The pilot reported that when the airplane was approximately 2,500 feet down the runway the tail cocked to the right, and that he was unable to straighten out the airplane before it went off the runway. The pilot reported that he initiated a go around, however the airplane struck a snow drift along the runway, and then flipped over. The pilot's reported flight time indicated that this was the pilot's first flight in the past 90 days. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. The airplane's right wing sustained crushing damage, the right wing strut collapsed. The windshield was broken, and the propeller was bent. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N11023](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N11023), registered now, S/N 249, 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: 249 - Airframe hours: 2308 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Donald J. Kyser - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 1996, 45 hours before - Departed: D97 - Destination: D97 - Airport: D97, South St.Paul, runway 16, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 828 total, 550 in this make and model, 639 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 250° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: D97 ## 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 19970327003809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970327003809A), Mar 27, 1997: Bbavia 7ECA, South St Paul, MN, Substantial damage. Drifted on landing roll. Unable correct. Began go around. Struck snowbank. Nosed over. (-23) airman doing currency landings. On second landing, drifted to… 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.