# NTSB FTW92LA106: Champion 7ECA, N9153L, Weatherford, TX, April 4, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1992, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Weatherford, TX
- Coordinates: 32.750339, -97.769233 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7503&lon=-97.7692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18472
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18472/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA106

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT, AND THE ENSUING INADVERTENT STALL DURING THE ABORTED LANDING DUE TO THE JAMMED ELEVATOR. A FACTOR WAS THE CROSSWIND.

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted landing - performed, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - aborted
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
  - flt control syst,elevator control - jammed
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- On ground/water collision with object, other
  - object - aircraft parked/standing

## Analysis

A PRIVATE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF HIS TAILWHEEL EQUIPPED AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE AIRPLANE YAWED TO THE LEFT AND DEPARTED THE RUNWAY IMPACTING AN EMBANKMENT. THE PILOT APPLIED POWER TO REGAIN CONTROL AND ABORT THE LANDING. THE COLLISION WITH THE EMBANKMENT CAUSED THE ELEVATOR TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE FULL UP POSITION. WHEN POWER WAS ADDED, THE FULL UP ELEVATOR RESULTED IN AN EXCESSIVE ANGLE OF ATTACK AND THE AIRPLANE STALLED. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A PARKED AIRPLANE PRIOR TO COMING TO A STOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9153L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9153L-1992-08-26), registration cancelled 1992-08-26, S/N 81171 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7ECA
- Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 811-71
- Airframe hours: 914
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Freddy H. Pate, doing business as Flight Dynamics, Inc.
- Registered owner: Freddy H. Pate
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, December 4, 1991, 97 hours before
- Departed: F54, ARLINGTON, TX
- Airport: WEA, Parker County, runway 35, 2,889 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 154 total, 8 in this make and model, 145 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MWS, 15 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 19920404008969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920404008969A), Apr 4, 1992: Bbavia 7ECA, Weatherford, TX, Substantial damage. Lost control landing. Left runway. Hit embankment became airborne nose high full power. Stalled elevator jammed.

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.

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