# NTSB ERA16CA197: American Champion 7GCBC, N80RK, Warner, NH, May 29, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 29, 2016, 19:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Warner, NH - Coordinates: 43.253612, -71.86444 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2536&lon=-71.8644&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 93275 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16CA197 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93275/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93275 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA197 ## Probable cause An encounter with instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the pilot's spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: low ceiling](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [American Champion 7GCBC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035010/cases.md?model=21101PL), [All aircraft, 190 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035010/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: spatial disorientation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022025): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [American Champion 7GCBC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022025/cases.md?model=21101PL), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022025/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [American Champion 7GCBC, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=21101PL), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [American Champion 7GCBC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=21101PL), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) (defining event); cases with it: [American Champion 7GCBC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?model=21101PL), [All aircraft, 392 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [American Champion 7GCBC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=21101PL), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [American Champion 7GCBC, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=21101PL), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was conducting a local sightseeing flight in visual meteorological conditions when the airplane inadvertently entered instrument meteorological conditions. While maneuvering, he lost visual reference with the ground. The airplane entered a steep descending turn, and collided trees. Both wings separated from the airframe and the fuselage was crushed. Weather conditions reported at an airport that was located about 17 nautical miles from the accident site, included, overcast clouds at 1,100 feet above ground level. The elevation of the accident site was about 1,700 feet mean sea level. The pilot reported that he experienced no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was conducting a local sightseeing flight in visual meteorological conditions when the airplane inadvertently entered instrument meteorological conditions. While maneuvering, he lost visual reference with the ground. The airplane entered a steep descending turn, and collided with trees. Both wings separated from the airframe and the fuselage was crushed. Weather conditions reported at an airport that was located about 17 nautical miles from the accident site, included, overcast clouds at 1,100 feet above ground level. The elevation of the accident site was about 1,700 feet mean sea level. The pilot reported that he experienced no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N80RK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80RK-2017-03-28), registration cancelled 2017-03-28, S/N 1226-96, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AMERICAN CHAMPION AIRCRAFT 7GCBC (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [American Champion 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-champion-7gcbc) (registry code 21101PL) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1226-96 - Year built: 1996 - Airframe hours: 1020 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2016, 16 hours before - Departed: ME08, Bingham, ME - Destination: CT24, North Canaan, MA - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 16, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 362 total, 290 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: MHT, 31 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 20160529025139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160529025139A), May 29, 2016: American Champion Aircraft 7GCBC, Warner, NH, Destroyed. Non-instrument rated pilot inadvertently continued cruise flight into deteriorating conditions. After entering IMC and attempting to climb away from… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 27, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93275. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 426 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444737&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 19 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444738&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Record FAA (item 3, .PDF, 105 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444739&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20FAA-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 4, .PDF, 105 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444740&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 3 photos, 884 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444741&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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. --- 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.