# NTSB GAA17CA374: Champion 7BCM, N3195C, Watertown, SD, June 26, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 26, 2017, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Watertown, SD - Coordinates: 44.913887, -97.152221 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9139&lon=-97.1522&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 14, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95455 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA374 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95455/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95455 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA374 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## 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 7BCM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=21101ML), [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 7BCM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=21101ML), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Champion 7BCM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=21101ML), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7BCM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=21101ML), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll, the right wing suddenly raised. He applied aileron and rudder corrections; however, the left wing impacted the ground as the airplane ground looped. The left wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll, the right wing suddenly came up. He applied aileron and rudder corrections, however the left wing impacted the ground as the airplane ground looped. The left wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3195C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3195C), registered now, S/N 7BCM-171 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7BCM (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Champion 7BCM](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7bcm) (registry code 21101ML) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7BCM-171 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 2600 - Engines: Continental C-85-8F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Thomas P. Ross - Registered owner: Thomas P. Ross - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2016 - Departed: FFM, FERGUS FALLS, MN - Destination: ATY, WATERTOWN, SD - Airport: ATY, Watertown Rgnl, runway 35, 6,893 × 100 ft, concrete - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 18, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 852.5 total, 82.3 in this make and model, 770.5 as pilot in command, 1.3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: KATY, 1 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 20170626009589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170626009589A), Jun 26, 2017: Champion 7BCM, Watertown, SD, Substantial damage. On 6/26/17 at 9:30AM local a Champion 7BCM owned bt [privacy data omitted] ground looped the aircraft on roll out after landing during a personal flight. VFR… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 31, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95455. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 775 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459719&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 398 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459720&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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.