# NTSB ERA23LA167: Champion 7FC, N6ND, Winter Haven, FL, October 24, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 24, 2022, 09:20 local (13:20 UTC) - Place: Winter Haven, FL - Coordinates: 28.1825, -81.824 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.1825&lon=-81.8240&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 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): 106966 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA167 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106966/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106966 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA167 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to properly secure the rear seat headset, resulting in an obstruction of the airplane’s rudder controls. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Inoperative; cases with it: [Champion 7FC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=21101NX), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7FC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=21101NX), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Champion 7FC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=21101NX), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7FC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md?model=21101NX), [All aircraft, 410 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Champion 7FC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=21101NX), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Champion 7FC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=21101NX), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The purpose of the flight was for the pilot to practice touch-and-go landings in the tailwheel-equipped, tandem-seat airplane. Following nine uneventful landings, the pilot reported that he entered the traffic pattern at the destination airport. While on the base leg in the traffic pattern for landing he felt that the flight controls were “noticeably weird.” He aborted the landing attempt and tried to maneuver the airplane away from the airport. The pilot described that the airplane would not bank to the right and was descending, despite the engine power being at 2,200 rpm. The airplane continued in a left bank and the pilot was unable to level the wings, and despite application of aft elevator control input, he was unable to arrest the descent. The airplane continued toward a pasture and struck the ground left bank before striking trees. The airplane’s left wing sustained substantial damage during the impact. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He added that when he was examining the airplane after the accident, he noted that the rear seat headset had become unstowed and had, “fallen onto / and around” the right rear rudder pedal. Based on this information, it is likely that the unsecured headset obstructed the movement of the rudder controls, resulting in the airplane’s uncommanded left bank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6ND](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6ND), registered now, S/N 7FC-200, built 1958 (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-200 - Year built: 1958 - Engines: Continental C90 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lind Mitchell W - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: GIF, Winter Haven, FL - Destination: GIF, Winter Haven, FL - Airport: GIF, Winter Haven Rgnl - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 10, 2022; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 192 total, 30 in this make and model, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GIF, 8 nm away - METAR: KGIF 241253Z AUTO 02004KT 10SM CLR 22/20 A3000 RMK AO2 SLP156 T02220200 ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 7, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106966. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15436133&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120-p_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 206 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15455713&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20Template-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.