# NTSB GAA16CA311: Champion Aeronca 7AC, N2675E, Groveland, CA, May 27, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 27, 2016, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Groveland, CA - Coordinates: 37.862499, -120.179443 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8625&lon=-120.1794&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 31, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93378 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA311 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93378/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93378 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA311 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and a collision with a concrete barrier wall. ## 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 AERONCA 7AC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2110140), [All aircraft, 9,308 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 AERONCA 7AC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2110140), [All aircraft, 3,969 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Champion AERONCA 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2110140), [All aircraft, 1,014 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Champion AERONCA 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2110140), [All aircraft, 1,201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wall/barricade](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022027): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Champion AERONCA 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022027/cases.md?model=2110140), [All aircraft, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022027/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Champion AERONCA 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2110140), [All aircraft, 1,130 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion AERONCA 7AC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2110140), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Champion AERONCA 7AC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2110140), [All aircraft, 3,656 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 AERONCA 7AC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2110140), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll, a "strong gust" of wind lifted the left wing and the airplane veered off the runway to the right. During the runway excursion, the airplane impacted a concrete barrier wall in the ramp area. The firewall sustained substantial damage. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The nearest automated weather observing station 15 nautical miles away from accident airport, about the time of the accident, reported the wind at 210 degrees true at 4 knots. The airplane landed on a 270 degrees magnetic heading. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll, a "strong gust" of wind lifted the left wing and the airplane veered off the runway to the right. During the runway excursion, the airplane impacted a concrete barrier wall in the ramp area. The firewall sustained substantial damage. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The nearest automated weather observing station 15 nautical miles away from accident airport, about the time of the accident, reported the wind at 210 degrees true at 4 knots. The airplane landed on a 270 degrees magnetic heading. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2675E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2675E-2018-05-31), registration cancelled 2018-05-31, S/N 7AC-6255, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHAMPION AERONCA 7AC (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Champion AERONCA 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-aeronca-7ac) (registry code 2110140) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7AC-6255 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 4929.32 - Engines: Continental A-65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 24, 2016 - Departed: O22, COLUMBIA, CA - Destination: E45, Groveland, CA - Airport: E45, Pine Mountain Lake, runway 27, 3,624 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review March 17, 2016; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 369 total, 35.7 in this make and model, 356.2 as pilot in command, 13.6 in the last 90 days, 6.8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: O22, 15 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 20160527008009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160527008009A), May 27, 2016: Champion AERONCA 7AC, Groveland, CA, Substantial damage. The airman was returning to the pine mountain airport (E45) after dropping off her flight instructor. The airman had been on a 1.5 hour flight with her… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 17, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93378. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 848 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443277&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 837 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443278&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.