# NTSB ERA16CA178: Champion 7AC, N82463, Jasper, AL, April 23, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 23, 2016, 09:20 local (14:20 UTC)
- Place: Jasper, AL
- Coordinates: 33.901943, -87.313888 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9019&lon=-87.3139&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: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 15, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93108
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16CA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93108/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93108
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA178

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind which resulted in a loss of directional control at touchdown and collapse of the landing gear.

## 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 · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7AC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=21101MA), [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 7AC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=21101MA), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=21101MA), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=21101MA), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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 7AC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=21101MA), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot/owner of the tailwheel-equipped airplane stated he was landing the airplane on a paved runway with a right, gusting crosswind. According to the pilot, "On final, we were right wing low on centerline, the right wheel touched, bounced a little, the left wing touched, and bounced a little, and then the left gear collapsed and the left wingtip touched the ground and the airplane slid to a stop." When asked about the performance and handling of the airplane, the pilot stated the airplane performed "great" and that he landed with a side load on the landing gear. He added that he was used to landing on grass, and that landing on asphalt "was a lot less forgiving."

## Factual narrative

The pilot/owner of the tailwheel-equipped airplane stated he was landing the airplane on a paved runway with a right, gusting crosswind. According to the pilot, "On final, we were right wing low on centerline, the right wheel touched, bounced a little, the left wing touched, and bounced a little, and then the left gear collapsed and the left wingtip touched the ground and the airplane slid to a stop."When asked about the performance and handling of the airplane, the pilot stated the airplane performed "great" and that he landed with a side load on the landing gear. He added that he was used to landing on grass, and that landing on asphalt "was a lot less forgiving."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82463](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82463), registered now, S/N 7AC1096 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7AC (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Champion 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ac) (registry code 21101MA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC1096
- Airframe hours: 1518
- Engines: Continental A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 21, 2015
- Departed: 20A, Robbins, AL
- Destination: JFX, Jasper, AL
- Airport: JFX, Walker County-Bevill Field, runway 27, 5,004 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 576 total, 41 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observed at: KJFX

## 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 20160423004659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160423004659A), Apr 23, 2016: Champion 7AC, Jasper, AL, Substantial damage. On crosswind landing aircraft touched down initally on right main landing gear. Then rolled onto left main landing gear. The oleo case frame failed at the…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 26, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93108. 1.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 370 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440454&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440455&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 800 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440456&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%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.

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