# NTSB FTW96LA052: Champion 7FC, N9899B, Fredericksburg, TX, November 24, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 24, 1995, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Fredericksburg, TX - Coordinates: 30.269693, -98.870529 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2697&lon=-98.8705&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 21, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19714 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA052 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19714/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA052 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors were the binding tailwheel and the pilot's lack of experience in tailwheel airplanes. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll - landing gear,tailwheel - binding(mechanical) (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis During the landing roll, the airplane began a slow left turn. The pilot corrected with full right rudder, and when the airplane did not respond, he then applied the right heel brake. The airplane exited the left side of the runway, encountered newly plowed dirt and nosed over. An aircraft mechanic examined the airplane and reported that when right rudder was applied, the tailwheel did not swivel freely, but required 'a lot of pressure' to break it loose from the centered position. The pilot stated that his inexperience prevented him from realizing the tailwheel steering on the airplane was not working properly. He further stated that he should have used the brakes sooner. The pilot had a total of 17 hours flight time in tailwheel airplanes, all of which were in the accident airplane. ## Factual narrative On November 24, 1995, at 1230 central standard time, a Champion 7FC, N9899B, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during landing near Fredericksburg, Texas. The commercial pilot/operator was not injured and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane departed Comfort, Texas, approximately 1100 for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane began a "slow left turn." He corrected with "full" right rudder pedal and, when the airplane did not respond, then applied the right heel brake. The airplane exited the left side of the runway, encountered "newly plowed dirt," nosed over and came to rest inverted. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the right wing sustained structural damage and the right lift strut was bent. An aircraft mechanic examined the airplane and reported that, when the rudder was moved right, the tailwheel did not "swivel freely" to the right. He stated that "a lot of pressure" was required to break the tailwheel loose from its centered position. During a telephone interview conducted by the investigator-in- charge, the pilot stated that his "inexperience" prevented him from realizing the tailwheel steering on the airplane was not working properly. He further stated that he "should have used the brakes sooner." The pilot had a total of 17 hours flight time in tailwheel airplanes, all of which were in the accident airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9899B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9899B), registered now, S/N 7FC-219 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7FC - Registry model: [Champion 7FC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7fc) (registry code 21101NX) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 219 - Airframe hours: 2875 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James G. Urquhart - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 1995, 17 hours before - Departed: 1T5, COMFORT, TX - Destination: T82 - Airport: T82, Gillespie County, runway 32, 4,600 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,999 total, 17 in this make and model, 1,784 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °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 19951124049729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951124049729A), Nov 24, 1995: Bbavia 7FC, Fredericksburg, TX, Substantial damage. (-16) Pilot was on a local VFR pleasure flight. On landing, aircraft ran off left side of the runway and flipped. 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.