# NTSB GAA16CA175: Champion 7ECA, N9611S, Kinder, LA, April 3, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 3, 2016, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Kinder, LA - Coordinates: 30.231388, -92.584167 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2314&lon=-92.5842&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 1, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Avaition Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92954 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA175 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92954/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92954 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA175 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area, resulting in a loss of directional control during landing, an airstrip excursion, impact with a fence and the subsequent airplane fire. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · 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) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7ECA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7ECA, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Champion 7ECA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7ECA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/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) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); 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) ## Analysis According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, after performing a local flight, he made a normal approach to a dirt and grass covered airstrip. He reported that he executed a wheel landing and the airplane veered left of the airstrip heading as the left main landing gear began to sink into the mud. The airplane struck a barbed wire fence and came to rest nose down in a water filled ditch. The pilot reported that he shut off the aircraft systems and he and his passenger exited the airplane; however, he reported that he did see fuel leaking from the fuel tanks as a result of the angle at which the airplane came to rest. The pilot recounted that as he and his passenger were walking away from the airplane they heard the fuel ignite and the airplane became engulfed with flames. The airplane sustained substantial fire damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the airplane prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, after performing a local flight, he made a normal approach to a dirt and grass covered airstrip. He reported that he executed a wheel landing and the airplane veered left of the airstrip heading as the left main landing gear began to sink into the mud. The airplane struck a barbed wire fence and came to rest nose down in a water filled ditch. The pilot reported that he shut off the aircraft systems and he and his passenger exited the airplane, however he reported that he did see fuel leaking from the fuel tanks as a result of the angle at which the airplane came to rest. The pilot recounted that as he and his passenger were walking away from the airplane they heard the fuel ignite and the airplane became engulfed with flames. The airplane sustained substantial fire damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the airplane prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9611S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9611S-2018-12-20), registration cancelled 2018-12-20, S/N 82, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7ECA (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 82 - Year built: 1965 - Airframe hours: 3206.6 - Engines: CONTINENTAL MOTOR COMPANY O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jerry D. Barnhill - Registered owner: Jerry D. Barnhill - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 22, 2015 - Departed: 3R7, Jennings, LA - Destination: Kinder, LA - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 13, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 698 total, 40 in this make and model, 639 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: KCWF, 29 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 20160403004189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160403004189A), Apr 3, 2016: Champion 7ECA, Kinder, LA, Destroyed. Made wheel landing on grass strip 8 miles west of Kinder, LA. As plane was slowing down the left main wheel went over muddy section of edge of strip. Aircraft… ## Other investigations on N9611S (1) 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 DEN83LA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA024), Nov 22, 1982: Bellanca 7ECA (N9611S), Erie, CO, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 12, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92954. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 418 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440069&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (item 2, .PDF, 683 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440070&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.