# NTSB GAA15CA188: Champion 7GCAA, N8305V, Kingsland, TX, July 15, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 15, 2015, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Kingsland, TX
- Coordinates: 30.68361, -98.416946 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6836&lon=-98.4169&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 91580
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91580/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91580
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA188

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain pitch attitude which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, hard landing and a loss of directional control.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7GCAA, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=21101N8), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7GCAA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=21101N8), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Champion 7GCAA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=21101N8), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7GCAA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=21101N8), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Champion 7GCAA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=21101N8), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Champion 7GCAA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=21101N8), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Champion 7GCAA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=21101N8), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Champion 7GCAA, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=21101N8), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during final approach to the runway, the airplane aerodynamically stalled about 10 feet above the runway and landed hard. The airplane then veered, exited the runway to the right, and impacted trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during final approach to the runway, the airplane aerodynamically stalled about 10 feet above the runway and landed hard. The airplane then veered, exited the runway to the right, and impacted trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8305V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8305V), registered now, S/N 98, built 1966 (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: 98
- Year built: 1966
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 22, 2014
- Departed: RYW, LAGO VISTA, TX
- Destination: 44TE, Kingsland, TX
- Airport: 44TE, Shirley Williams, runway 16, 2,600 × 100 ft, dirt
- Equipment: Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 10, 2014; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 340 total, 17 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observed at: KDZB, 9 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 20150715009829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150715009829A), Jul 15, 2015: Champion 7GCAA, Kingsland, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot reported final approach was normal cleared trees at end of runway 16. Pilot began flare out at that point pilot could feel that aircraft was begining to…

## Other investigations on N8305V (3)

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 DEN08CA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08CA043), Dec 23, 2007: Champion 7GCAA (N8305V), Gallup, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's premature landing flare and an inadvertent stall/mush. A contributing factor is pilot's lack of recent night experience.
- [NTSB SEA76FYA07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76FYA07), Jul 26, 1975: Champion 7GCAA (N8305V), Boise, ID, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW68F0182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68F0182), Jul 29, 1967: Champion 7GCAA (N8305V), Wildorado, TX, substantial damage

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 13, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91580. 6.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 612 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430735&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 88 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430736&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 – Right side of Airplane (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430737&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Right%20side%20of%20Airplane%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 – Fuselage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40430738&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Fuselage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF

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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