# NTSB ERA15CA013: Champion 7FC, N7591B, Reidsville, NC, October 10, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 10, 2014, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Reidsville, NC - Coordinates: 36.437221, -79.851112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4372&lon=-79.8511&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 12, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90238 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15CA013 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90238/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90238 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA013 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll in gusty wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7FC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=21101NX), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7FC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=21101NX), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during landing the airplane "settled" onto runway 31. Then, a "gust of wind lifted" the left wing and he attempted to counteract the movement by applying aileron correction. However, the airplane veered to the left, struck a runway sign and a taxiway light, and then came to rest in a grassy area. During the accident sequence, the airplane incurred substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, horizontal stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The wind reported at the airport around the time of the accident was from 250 degrees at 4 knots, gusting to 14 knots. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, during landing the airplane "settled" onto runway 31. Then, a "gust of wind lifted" the left wing and he attempted to counteract the movement by applying aileron correction. However, the airplane veered to the left, struck a runway sign and a taxiway light, and then came to rest in a grassy area. During the accident sequence, the airplane incurred substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, horizontal stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The wind reported at the airport around the time of the accident was from 250 degrees at 4 knots, gusting to 14 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7591B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7591B-2018-05-31), registration cancelled 2018-05-31, S/N 7FC-93, built 1957 (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-93 - Year built: 1957 - Airframe hours: 2749.6 - Engines: Continental Motors Inc. O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 20, 2013 - Departed: 6A5, Reidsville, NC - Destination: SIF, Reidsville, NC - Airport: SIF, Rockingham County Nc Shiloh, runway 31, 5,199 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 3, 2013; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,358 total, 330 in this make and model, 3,358 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 4 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KSIF ## 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 20141010019059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141010019059A), Oct 10, 2014: Champion 7FC, Stoneville, NC, Substantial damage. After touch down the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft. The pilot attemped a go- around using improper technique, after he noticed he was headed… ## Other investigations on N7591B (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 IAD75FID06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD75FID06), Sep 28, 1974: Champion 7FC (N7591B), Martinsville, VA, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 29, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90238. 4.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 622 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420376&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record – Weather Observations (item 2, .PDF, 148 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420377&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – View of Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420378&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20Main%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.