# NTSB GAA16CA057: Champion 7ECA, N9649S, Eufaula, AL, November 16, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 16, 2015, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Eufaula, AL - Coordinates: 31.951389, -85.12889 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9514&lon=-85.1289&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 14, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92351 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA057 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92351/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92351 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA057 ## Probable cause The student pilot's decision to land with a quartering tailwind, resulting in a loss off directional control, excessive brake application, and a nose over. ## 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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7ECA, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7ECA, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7ECA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7ECA, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Champion 7ECA, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Champion 7ECA, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the student pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he landed on an asphalt runway at about 80 miles per hour. He reported that during the landing on runway 18, the wind was 070 degrees true and a velocity of 5 knots. He reported that during the landing roll he "wasn't able" to apply the appropriate crosswind correction and subsequently applied excessive braking. The airplane nosed over and exited the right side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall, left wing and rudder. The student pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures associated with the airplane prior to, or during the flight that would have prevented normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the student pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he landed on an asphalt runway at about 80 miles per hour. He reported that during the landing on Runway 18, the wind was 070 degrees true and a velocity of 5 knots. He reported that during the landing roll he "wasn't able" to apply the appropriate crosswind correction and subsequently applied excessive braking. The airplane nosed over and exited the right side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall, left wing and rudder. The student pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures associated with the airplane prior to, or during the flight that would have prevented normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9649S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9649S), registered now, S/N 396 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7ECA (Citabria) - Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 396 - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 5795 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Howell William F - Registered owner: Howell William F - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 5, 2015 - Departed: BGE, BAINBRIDGE, GA - Destination: EUF, Eufaula, AL - Airport: EUF, Weedon Field, runway 18, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; student; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 39 total, 35 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: EUF ## 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 20151116021759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151116021759A), Nov 16, 2015: Champion 7ECA, Eufaula, AL, Substantial damage. 1120 Hrs (EST) on 11/16/2015 solo student pilot began flight from bainbridge, ga (bge) enroute to Eufaula, AL airport (euf). Preflight checklist found no… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 8, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92351. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437397&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437398&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 3 photos, 704 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437399&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%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. --- 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.