# NTSB DFW07CA177: Aeronca Champion, N9870B, Kirbyville, TX, July 25, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 25, 2007, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Kirbyville, TX - Coordinates: 30.642778, -93.85028 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6428&lon=-93.8503&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 30, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Houston - NTSB case key (mKey): 66374 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07CA177 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66374/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07CA177 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to maintain directional control during takeoff roll as result of the failure of the airplane's tailwheel's steering arm. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not possible, pilot in command - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - failure,total (cause) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot lost control of airplane when the steering arm from the tailwheel assembly failed during the initial takeoff roll. The 20,000-hours airline transport rated pilot reported that about 250-feet along the takeoff roll, when the airplane was accelerating through 40 to 45 mph, the airplane started to pull to the right and his full left rudder input was unable maintain directional control. The 2,600-feet long by 80-foot wide grass airstrip featured a 4 to 5 foot deep ditch along the right side of the airstrip. The pilot added that he attempted to get airborne prematurely and the airplane was able to clear the ditch; however, after clearing the ditch, the right wing became entangled in some tall grass and airplane subsequently impacted the ground. The vintage airplane came to rest in an upright position and the pilot and passenger exited the airplane unassisted. An examination of the airplane revealed that the fuselage sustained structural damage. A detailed examination of the tailwheel assembly confirmed that the steering arm was completely fractured. The wind at the time of the accident was reported as calm. The pilot had accumulated approximately 30 hours in the same make and model. ## Factual narrative The pilot lost control of airplane when the steering arm from the tailwheel assembly failed during the initial takeoff roll. The 20,000-hours airline transport rated pilot reported that about 250-feet along the takeoff roll, when the airplane was accelerating through 40 to 45 mph, the airplane started to pull to the right and his full left rudder input was unable to maintain directional control. The 2,600-feet long by 80-foot wide grass airstrip featured a 4 to 5 foot deep ditch along the right side of the airstrip. The pilot added that he attempted to get airborne prematurely and the airplane was able to clear the ditch; however, after clearing the ditch, the right wing became entangled in some tall grass and airplane subsequently impacted the ground. The vintage airplane came to rest in an upright position and the pilot and passenger exited the airplane unassisted. An examination of the airplane revealed that the fuselage sustained structural damage. A detailed examination of the tailwheel assembly confirmed that the steering arm was completely fractured. The wind at the time of the mishap was reported as calm. The pilot had accumulated approximately 30 hours in the same make and model. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9870B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9870B), registered now, S/N 7FC-193, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca Champion - Registry model: [Champion 7FC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7fc) (registry code 21101NX) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: FC-193 - Airframe hours: 3778.1 - Engines: Continental C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2007 - Departed: T12, KIRBYVILLE, TX - Destination: BPT, BEAUMONT/PORT A, TX - Airport: 999, Private Airstrip, runway unk, 2,600 × 80 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; airline transport, military, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2006; seat: front; flight hours: 20,000 total, 30 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg ## Other investigations on N9870B (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 UNK64X3348](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3348), Aug 12, 1964: Champion 7FC (N9870B), Coloma, WI, 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.