# NTSB DEN99LA021: Champion 7GCAA, N9632S, Aurora, CO, November 22, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 22, 1998, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Aurora, CO - Coordinates: 39.750545, -104.600524 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7505&lon=-104.6005&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 19, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45348 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA021 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45348/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA021 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors were the gusty crosswind and terrain. ## Analysis The pilot landed on runway 32 (4,687 ft. X 38 ft., asphalt) with a right 'gusty' crosswind. After touch down, the tail wheel began to 'shimmy.' The pilot said he pushed the control stick forward to relieve pressure on the tail wheel. He said a gust of wind then caused the airplane and weather vane sharply to the right. The airplane collided with terrain and nosed over. ## Factual narrative On November 22, 1998, approximately 1330 mountain standard time, a Champion 7GCAA, N9632S, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during landing roll at Aurora Airpark, Aurora, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal cross-country flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Calhan Airport approximately 40 minutes before the accident. According to the pilot's accident report, he landed on runway 32 (4,687 ft. X 38 ft., asphalt) with a right "gusty" crosswind. After touch down, the tail wheel began to "shimmy." The pilot said he pushed the control stick forward to relieve pressure on the tail wheel. He said a gust of wind then caused the airplane to weather vane sharply to the right. The airplane collided with terrain and nosed over. All four spars and three struts were substantially damaged, as well as the fabric wings and propeller. ## 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) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9632S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9632S-2021-10-09), registration cancelled 2021-10-09, S/N 60, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7GCAA - Registry model: [Champion 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcaa) (registry code 21101N8) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 60 - Airframe hours: 2645 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William A. Yribia - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility; Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, February 9, 1998, 135 hours before - Departed: 5V4, CALHAN, CO - Destination: 0IV, CO - Airport: 01V, Aurora Airpark, runway 32, 4,687 × 38 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 414 total, 230 in this make and model, 240 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 13 knots - Visibility: 70 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BKF, 7 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 19981122045079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981122045079A), Nov 22, 1998: Bbavia 7GCAA, Aurora, CO, Substantial damage. (.4) The pilot on runway 32 (4,687 ft. x 38 ft., asphalt) with a right `gusty' crosswind. After touch down, the tail wheel began to `shimmy.' The pilot said he… ## Other investigations on N9632S (1) 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 ANC20CA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA029), Mar 3, 2020: Champion 7GCAA (N9632S), Sterling, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance during approach, which resulted in the airplane impacting an area of deep snow. A factor associated with the accident was flat light conditions. 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.