# NTSB FTW00LA227: Champion 7KCAB, N2978G, Rayville, LA, July 29, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 29, 2000, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Rayville, LA - Coordinates: 32.470088, -91.750343 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4701&lon=-91.7503&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49938 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA227 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49938/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA227 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's failure to maintain directional control. A factor was the wind gusts. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The flight instructor was demonstrating a normal landing to the south in a tailwheel-equipped aircraft. The pilot made a 3-point touchdown with a 'light crosswind.' The airplane rolled 300-400 feet down the runway, and when the airplane was abeam a tree line, a gust of wind veered the airplane toward the right edge of the runway. The flight instructor attempted to correct for the wind gust; however, his 'heel slid off of the heel brake.' The flight instructor 'held full rudder and got back on brake too late.' The airplane exited the right side of the runway, and subsequently impacted a ditch. The pilot added that the wind was out of the southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18 knots. ## Factual narrative On July 29, 2000, at 1000 central daylight time, a Champion 7KCAB tailwheel-equipped airplane, N2978G, was substantially damaged when it impacted a ditch during the landing roll at the John H. Hooks Jr. Memorial Airport near Rayville, Louisiana. The airplane was registered to and operated by Barham Bros. Inc., of Oak Ridge, Louisiana. The flight instructor and the private pilot receiving instruction were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The local flight originated from the John H. Hooks Jr. Memorial Airport at 0830. According to the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the flight instructor stated that he was demonstrating a normal landing on runway 18 at the end of the instructional flight. He reported that he "touched down 3-point with light crosswind." The airplane rolled 300-400 feet down the runway, and when the airplane was abeam a tree line, a gust of wind veered the airplane toward the right edge of the runway. The flight instructor stated that he attempted to correct for the wind gust; however, his "heel slid off of the heel brake." The flight instructor "held full rudder and got back on brake too late." The airplane exited the right side of the runway, and subsequently impacted a ditch. The pilot added that the wind was out of the southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 18 knots. According to the FAA inspectors who examined the airplane, the airplane's fuselage sustained structural damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2978G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2978G-2018-03-09), registration cancelled 2018-03-09, S/N 70, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7KCAB - Registry model: [Champion 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7kcab) (registry code 21101P3) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 70 - Airframe hours: 2565 - Engines: Lycoming IO-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Barham Bros., Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 22, 2000, 10 hours before - Departed: M79 - Airport: M79, John H Hooks Jr. Memorial, runway 18, 3,699 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 4,400 total, 500 in this make and model, 4,300 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 225° at 10 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 20000729008009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000729008009A), Jul 29, 2000: Bbavia 7KCAB, Rayville, LA, No damage. (-23) Student pilot lost control on landing due to gusty winds. Instructor failed to take control, and aircraft veered off of the runway and into a ditch. The… ## Other investigations on N2978G (2) 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 CEN13FA420](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA420), Jul 18, 2013: Champion 7KCAB (N2978G), Oak Ridge, LA, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The private pilot’s and the flight instructor’s failure to maintain airplane control while performing agricultural operations turns low to the ground, which resulted in a stall/spin. Contributing to… - [NTSB MKC73DCA29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC73DCA29), Jun 21, 1973: Champion 7KCAB (N2978G), Houston, MO, substantial damage 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.