# NTSB ERA11CA366: Champion 7FC, N7583E, Wellsville, PA, June 18, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 18, 2011, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Wellsville, PA - Coordinates: 40.038055, -76.995277 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0381&lon=-76.9953&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 4, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA Harrisburg FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 80909 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA366 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/80909/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80909 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA366 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed on final approach which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7FC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=21101NX), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7FC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=21101NX), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7FC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=21101NX), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7FC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=21101NX), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Champion 7FC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=21101NX), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Champion 7FC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=21101NX), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Champion 7FC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=21101NX), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was on final approach for landing behind another airplane. He decreased his airspeed and continued the approach until the airplane was about 10 feet above the runway. He added a little power and the airplane stalled. The airplane collided with the runway in a flat attitude. The nose landing gear separated, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and firewall. The pilot reported no mechanical problems that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated he was on final approach for landing behind another airplane. He decreased airspeed and continued the approach until the airplane was about 10 feet above the runway. He added a little power and the airplane stalled. The airplane collided with the runway in a flat attitude. The nose landing gear separated, and the airplane nosed over inverted. The airplane sustained structural damage to the fuselage and firewall. The pilot reported no mechanical problems prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7583E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7583E-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 7FC-271, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7FC - Registry model: [Champion 7FC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7fc) (registry code 21101NX) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7FC-271 - Airframe hours: 3322 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C90 SERIES 95 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 2010, 15 hours before - Departed: N16, Centre Hall, PA - Destination: 62PA, Wellsville, PA - Airport: 62PA, Shreveport North Airport, runway 24, 2,670 × 70 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 9, 2009; seat: front; flight hours: 212 total, 163 in this make and model, 212 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: THV, 9 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 20110618013619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110618013619A), Jun 18, 2011: Champion 7FC, Wellsville, PA, Substantial damage. During approach to land rwy 24 at airfield 62PA, pilot stalled aircraft over turf runway at approximately 10 feet above ground level. Aircraft landed hard and… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 12, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80909. 3.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 318 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350362&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation Heil (item 2, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350345&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20Heil-Redacted.PDF - FAA Pilot Statement (item 3, .PDF, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350347&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - FAA Statement (item 4, .PDF, 22 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350348&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement.pdf (item 5, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352401&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement.pdf-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 View looking back down the approach end of runway24. Photo FAA (item 6, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350339&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20View%20looking%20back%20down%20the%20approach%20end%20of%20runway24.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.PDF - Photo 2 View of airplane at rest. Photo FAA (item 7, .JPG, 873 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350340&FileExtension=.jpg&FileName=Photo%202%20View%20of%20airplane%20at%20rest.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.jpg - Photo 3 Close up view of airplane inverted. Photo FAA (item 8, .JPG, 873 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350341&FileExtension=.jpg&FileName=Photo%203%20Close%20up%20view%20of%20airplane%20inverted.%20Photo%20FAA-Master.jpg 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.