# NTSB GAA16CA426: American Champion 8KCAB, N68JK, Cordova, SC, July 24, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 24, 2016, 17:40 local (21:40 UTC) - Place: Cordova, SC - Coordinates: 33.229999, -80.54 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2300&lon=-80.5400&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93811 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA426 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93811/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93811 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA426 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading, which resulted in the airplane not being aligned with the runway and a subsequent runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [American Champion 8KCAB, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2121000), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/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: [American Champion 8KCAB, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2121000), [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: [American Champion 8KCAB, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2121000), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [American Champion 8KCAB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=2121000), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [American Champion 8KCAB, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2121000), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [American Champion 8KCAB, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2121000), [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: [American Champion 8KCAB, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2121000), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during approach he slipped the airplane down to the private turf airstrip. He reported that when he recovered from the slip, the nose of the airplane was not aligned with the airstrip heading, and still not aligned during touchdown. The pilot reported that he was not able to correct the airplane's heading during the landing roll and the airplane impacted the corn stalks that bordered the airstrip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the ribs of both wings and both ailerons. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with any portion of the airplane that would have prevented normal flight operations. The pilot reported that the wind at the airstrip was calm. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, during approach he slipped the airplane down to the private turf airstrip. He reported that when he recovered from the slip, the nose of the airplane was not aligned with the airstrip heading, and still not aligned during touchdown. The pilot reported that he was not able to correct the airplane's heading during the landing roll and the airplane impacted the corn stalks that bordered the airstrip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the ribs of both wings and both ailerons. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with any portion of the airplane that would have prevented normal flight operations. The pilot reported that the wind at the airstrip was calm. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N68JK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68JK-2019-06-07), registration cancelled 2019-06-07, S/N 780-96, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AMERICAN CHAMPION AIRCRAFT 8KCAB (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [American Champion 8KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-champion-8kcab) (registry code 2121000) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 780-96 - Year built: 1996 - Airframe hours: 2167 - Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360-H1B 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Flying Fun & Company - Registered owner: Flying Fun & Company - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, July 24, 2016 - Departed: 1DS, ORANGEBURG, SC - Destination: Cordova, SC - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 28, 2014; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 144 total, 49 in this make and model, 91 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KDYB, 17 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 20160724013429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160724013429A), Jul 24, 2016: American Champion Aircraft 8KCAB, Cordova, SC, Substantial damage. On July 24, 2016, about 1740 eastern daylight time, an American champ aircraft 8KCAB-N68JK, was substantially damaged when it ran off the side of the grass… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 18, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93811. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446637&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (item 2, .PDF, 446 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446638&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.