# NTSB ERA26LA260: Champion 7EC, N4346C, Highgate, VT, June 25, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 25, 2026, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Highgate, VT - Coordinates: 44.934603, -73.096187 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9346&lon=-73.0962&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 27, 2026 - 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): 203317 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA260 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203317/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203317 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA260 ## Probable cause The pilot’s excessive braking during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft capability: braking capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7EC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050/cases.md?model=21101NM), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061050/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7EC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=21101NM), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7EC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=21101NM), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that upon touching down on the turf runway, the tailwheel-equipped airplane began a “moderate excursion to the right” and that he applied left rudder and brakes to correct. The airplane then veered left and nosed over resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and the lift struts of both wings. The pilot stated that the turf along the airplane’s landing roll path was “torn up,” and was likely the result of excessive braking. The pilot also reported that while he had extensive experience flying tailwheel equipped airplanes they had all been fitted with modern hydraulically actuated braking systems, while the accident airplane was equipped with the original mechanical/drum brakes. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4346C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4346C), registered now, S/N 7EC-365, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7EC - 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-365 - Year built: 1955 - Airframe hours: 2045 - Engines: Continental Motors C-90-12-F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 6, 2025, 2 hours before - Airport: FSO, Franklin County State, runway 18, 4,001 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 14, 2024; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,461 total, 122 in this make and model, 3,200 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: FSO - METAR: METAR KFSO 251815Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 25/13 A3003 RMK AO2 T02470133 ## 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 20260625007919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260625007919A), Jun 25, 2026: Champion 7EC, Highgate, VT, Substantial damage. On June 25, 2026, at approximately 1300 local time, the pilot of a tailwheel Aeronca Champion aircraft was conducting a landing on the grass area adjacent to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 27, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203317. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20687815&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Filled%20out%20Printed_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 743 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20688184&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20ERA26LA260-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.