# NTSB FTW93LA166: Champion 7GCAA, N7554F, Mount Vernon, TX, May 25, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1993, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Mount Vernon, TX
- Coordinates: 33.170352, -95.220924 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1704&lon=-95.2209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18756
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18756/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA166

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR 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
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - runway light
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER A NORMAL TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRPLANE VEERED RIGHT AND HE WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL.  THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, STRUCK A RUNWAY LIGHT AND NOSED OVER.  THERE WAS A 70 DEGREE, 10 KNOT CROSSWIND FROM THE RIGHT

## Factual narrative

On Tuesday, May 25, 1993, at approximately 1700 central daylight time, a Champion 7GCAA, N7554F, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during landing at Mount Vernon, Texas.  The airplane, flown by a commercial pilot, was on a 14 CFR Part 91 aerial observation flight.  There was no flight plan filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.

The pilot stated that after landing on runway 31, he lost control of the airplane and it veered off the right side of the runway.  It subsequently struck a runway light and nosed over.  The winds were reported to be 020 degrees at 10 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7554F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7554F), registered now, S/N 206-70 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7GCAA
- Registry model: [Champion 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcaa) (registry code 21101N8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 206-70
- Airframe hours: 9254
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Whelan, Martin E.
- Registered owner: Whelan, Martin E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1992, 645 hours before
- Departed: TXO6, MEXIA, TX
- Destination: F53
- Airport: F53, Franklin Co., runway 31, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,178 total, 843 in this make and model, 1,104 as pilot in command, 178 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19930525015109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930525015109A), May 25, 1993: Bbavia 7GCAA, Mount Vernon, TX, Substantial damage. Weather vaned in crosswind on landing. Ran off runway. Struck runway light and nosed over.

## Other investigations on N7554F (1)

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 FTW71AF005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW71AF005), Aug 11, 1970: Champion 7GCAA (N7554F), Wisner, LA, 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.

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