# NTSB FTW98LA094: Champion 7KCAB, N5275X, Leadville, CO, January 10, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 10, 1998, 10:32 local (17:32 UTC)
- Place: Leadville, CO
- Coordinates: 39.239788, -106.289245 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2398&lon=-106.2892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20515
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20515/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA094

## Probable cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane.  Factors were a sudden windshift from a headwind to a quartering tailwind, and the snowbank.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - weather condition - sudden windshift (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot was practicing full stop landings on runway 16.  The wind was from 150 degrees at 5 knots.  During the last landing rollout, the wind direction changed to a quartering tailwind.  The aircraft veered to the right side of runway 16, struck a snowbank, and nosed over.  The vertical fin, propeller, rudder, left wing, and engine mount were damaged.

## Factual narrative

On January 10, 1998, at 1032 mountain standard time, a Champion 7KCAB (Citabria), N5275X, was substantially damaged during landing roll at Lake County Airport, Leadville, Colorado.  The private pilot, the sole occupant in the airplane, was not injured.  The airplane was owned and being operated by the pilot under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight which originated approximately 32 minutes before the accident.  No flight plan had been filed.

According to the pilot's accident report, he was practicing full stop landings on runway 16.  The winds were from 150 degrees at 5 knots.  During the last landing rollout, the wind direction changed to a quartering tailwind.  The pilot said the aircraft "drifted suddenly to the west [right] side of runway 16.  A 2-3 foot snowbank was struck which stopped the aircraft, raising it over on its back."

Postaccident examination of the aircraft revealed that the vertical fin, propeller, rudder, left wing, and engine mount were damaged.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5275X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5275X), registered now, S/N 177, built 1969 (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: 177
- Engines: Lycoming IO-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bradley V. Dry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1997, 25 hours before
- Departed: LXV
- Airport: LXV, Lake County Airport, runway 16, 6,400 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 154 total, 32 in this make and model, 107 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LXV

## 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 19980110002759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980110002759A), Jan 10, 1998: Bbavia 7KCAB, Leadville, CO, Substantial damage. Landed in quartering tail wind. Lost control. Impacted snowbank. Off edge of runway. (.4)the pilot was practicing full stop landings on runway 16. The wind was…

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.