# NTSB ERA18LA040: Champion 7EC, N7586E, Ravenswood, WV, December 1, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 1, 2017, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Ravenswood, WV - Coordinates: 38.933055, -81.818054 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9331&lon=-81.8181&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 February 11, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 96413 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA18LA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96413/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96413 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA040 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## 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 7EC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=21101NM), [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 7EC, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=21101NM), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Champion 7EC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=21101NM), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/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 7EC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=21101NM), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Champion 7EC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=21101NM), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Champion 7EC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=21101NM), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot completed one circuit in the traffic pattern that was uneventful, then performed a three-point landing. As the airplane's speed decreased, it began to veer to the right side of the runway. The pilot applied left aileron and full left rudder; however, the airplane continued off the right side of the runway. He applied full power to attempt to abort the landing, but the airplane went down an embankment before it came to rest, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing, right horizontal stabilizer, right elevator, and fuselage. The right main landing gear separated from the airplane during the accident sequence and, therefore, could not be tested. Although the pilot stated that the right brake "seized upon landing," an examination of the brake system did not reveal any evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Thus, it is likely that the pilot lost control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## Factual narrative On December 1, 2017, about 1615 eastern standard time, a Champion 7EC, N7586E, was substantially damaged while landing at Jackson County Airport (I18), Ravenswood, West Virginia. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by an individual as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed for the local flight.According to the pilot, he performed a circuit in the traffic pattern that was uneventful. The airplane was on final approach, at 50 mph and aligned with the runway centerline. The pilot then performed a three-point landing, and as the airplane's speed decreased, it began to veer to the right side of the runway. The pilot applied left aileron and full left rudder; however, the airplane continued off the right side of the runway. He applied full power to attempt to abort the landing, but after about 60 ft of ground roll, the airplane went down an embankment and came to rest. The pilot then egressed without injury and noted tire marks approximately 200 ft long on the runway and an additional 100 ft in the grass prior to going off the embankment. Initial examination of the airplane revealed that the right wing, right horizontal stabilizer, right elevator, and fuselage were substantially damaged. In addition, the right main landing gear separated from the airplane. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records, the pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. In addition, he held a flight instructor certificate for airplane single engine and instrument airplane. His most recent second-class medical certificate was issued on July 19, 2016. The pilot reported 1,756 total hours of flight time, of which, 39 hours were in the same make and model of the accident airplane. In addition, he reported no flight hours in the make and model of the accident airplane in the 90 days prior to the accident. According to FAA airworthiness records, the airplane was manufactured in 1958. It was equipped with a Continental Motors C-90 series, 90-horsepower engine that drove a Sensenich fixed pitch propeller. According to airplane maintenance logbooks, the most recent annual inspection was completed on June 13, 2017, at 2,562.4 total aircraft hours, and a tachometer time of 468.5 hours. Each of the last three annual inspections were completed approximately every other year. At the time of the accident, the tachometer indicated 468.5 hours. The 1615 recorded weather observation at Mason County Airport (3I2), Point Pleasant, West Virginia, located about 13 nautical miles west of the accident location, included calm wind, visibility 10 miles, clear skies below 12,000 ft above ground level, temperature 11°C, dew point -1°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.25 inches of mercury. In the NTSB Form 6120.1, Pilot/Operator AircraftAccident/Incident Report, the pilot stated that the right brake "seized upon landing." Although the right main landing gear was separated from the fuselage during the accident sequence, examination of the brake system by an FAA inspector revealed that there were no anomalies of the brakes that would have precluded normal operation. Both wheels rotated freely with no indication of brake binding or dragging. Both brake drums were smooth, and no binding was noted. The brake linings were intact, no fluid leaks were noted, and there were no mechanical anomalies. In addition, the main tires did not have any abnormal tread wear or bald spots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7586E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7586E-2019-01-29), registration cancelled 2019-01-29, S/N 7EC-680, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7EC (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Champion 7EC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ec) (registry code 21101NM) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7EC-680 - Year built: 1958 - Airframe hours: 2562.4 - Engines: Continental Motors Inc. C-90-12 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 2017, 0 hours before - Departed: I18, Ravenswood, WV - Destination: I18, Ravenswood, WV - Airport: I18, Jackson County, runway 22, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, unknown; flight hours: 1,756 total, 39 in this make and model, 1,686 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: K3I2, 13 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 20171201022269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171201022269A), Dec 1, 2017: Champion 7EC, Ravenswood, WV, Substantial damage. Weather - clear / dry conditions Airman was conducting takeoff and landing currency in the subject aircraft. Video suggests winds were calm to light. Aircraft… ## Other investigations on N7586E (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 LAX88LA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA166), Apr 13, 1988: Champion 7EC (N7586E), Mayer, AZ, substantial damage ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 15, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96413. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 997 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476747&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Weather Observations (item 2, .PDF, 162 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476748&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF - Maintenance Log Excerpts (item 3, .PDF, 652 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476749&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Log%20Excerpts-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector Brake Examination (item 4, .PDF, 127 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476750&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%20Brake%20Examination-Master.PDF - Investigative Photographs (item 5, .PDF, 3 photos, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476751&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs-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.