# NTSB ERA21LA150: American Champion 7GCBC, N139PC, Montgomery, NY, November 8, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 8, 2020, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Montgomery, NY · Adjacent to runway, in grass - Coordinates: 41.511812, -74.263539 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5118&lon=-74.2635&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 102740 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA150 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102740/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102740 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA150 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing, resulting in a ground loop and structural damage to the airframe. ## 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: [American Champion 7GCBC, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=21101PL), [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: [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) ## 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: [American Champion 7GCBC, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=21101PL), [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: [American Champion 7GCBC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=21101PL), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was landing with the tailwheel-equipped airplane in calm wind. Upon touchdown, the airplane veered to the right despite attempts to keep it tracking straight with left brake inputs. The airplane ground looped to the right and came to rest in the grass, adjacent to the runway. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the wreckage after the accident reported that there was substantial damage to the fuselage near the main landing gear strut attachment points and near the tailwheel. Examination of the wheel brakes, tires, and flight controls showed no indication of a preexisting mechanical malfunction or failure, nor did the pilot report one. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N139PC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N139PC), registered now, S/N 1339-2002, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AMERICAN CHAMPION AIRCRAFT 7GCBC - 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: 1339-2002 - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 952 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 160 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 19, 2020, 12 hours before - Airport: MGJ, Orange County, runway 04/22, 5,006 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 319 total, 268 in this make and model, 319 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.33 inHg - Observed at: MGJ ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 16, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102740. 50.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 48.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12252332&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=1%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - NTSB memorandum for record - FAA inspector statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 310 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12252399&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=3%20NTSB%20Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12251562&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=4%20Photo%20Array-Rel.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.