# NTSB FTW95LA171: Champion 7GC, N4842E, Paragould, AR, April 15, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1995, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Paragould, AR
- Coordinates: 35.920433, -91.940345 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9204&lon=-91.9403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 19, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19396
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19396/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA171

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT GROUNDLOOP. A FACTOR WAS THE INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, dual student
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

AS THE STUDENT PILOT INITIATED THE TAKEOFF ROLL ON RUNWAY 22, THE AIRPLANE GROUNDLOOPED TO THE LEFT. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR ATTEMPTED AN UNSUCCESSFUL RECOVERY AND THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK A DITCH. STRUCTURAL DAMAGE OCCURRED TO THE RIGHT WING AND GEAR. THE WIND WAS FROM 180 DEGREES AT 10 KNOTS. THE PILOT'S REPORT INDICATED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS.

## Factual narrative

On April 15, 1995, at 1100 central daylight time, a Champion 7GC, N4842E, was substantially damaged during the takeoff roll at Paragould, Arkansas.  The airline transport rated pilot/flight instructor and the student pilot did not receive injuries.  The instructional flight was operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91 and originated in Jonesboro, Arkansas, at 0930.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed with winds from 180 degrees at 10 knots, and a flight plan was not filed.

The flight instructor reported that as the student initiated the takeoff roll, the speed of the airplane increased, the tailwheel came off the runway, and the airplane "swang sharply to the left, like the left brake was pushed."  The flight instructor reduced the power, brought the tailwheel back to the ground, and applied aft control stick.  The airplane departed the left side of runway 22 and the right main wheel hit a ditch before the airplane came to rest.  Structural damage occurred to the right wing, right main gear, and tail wheel.  The enclosed Pilot/Operator report disclosed that the flight instructor had accumulated a total of five hours in this make and model.  The report also indicated that there was no mechanical malfunctions.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4842E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4842E-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 7GC-42, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7GC
- Registry model: [Champion 7GC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gc) (registry code 21101N2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7GC-42
- Airframe hours: 2920
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2B 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Vester E. Spencer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1995, 3 hours before
- Departed: JBR, JONESBORO, AR
- Destination: PGR
- Airport: PGR, Kirk Field, runway 22, 3,798 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 7,000 total, 5 in this make and model, 6,800 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19950415048889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950415048889A), Apr 15, 1995: Bbavia 7GC, Paragould, AR, Substantial damage. (-16) Instructor allowed student pilot to ground loop aircraft during takeoff.

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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