# NTSB GAA17CA391: American Champion 8KCAB, N157WB, Ferguson, FL, July 1, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 1, 2017, 15:20 local (20:20 UTC) - Place: Ferguson, FL - Coordinates: 30.398332, -87.348892 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3983&lon=-87.3489&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 22, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95517 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA391 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95517/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95517 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA391 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in crosswind conditions. ## 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: [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) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [American Champion 8KCAB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2121000), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [American Champion 8KCAB, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2121000), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [American Champion 8KCAB, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2121000), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); 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: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [American Champion 8KCAB, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2121000), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the landing roll on the grass runway, the airplane began to veer to the right before the tailwheel was down. He added that he applied left rudder; however, the airplane pitched forward, and the propeller struck the ground. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest inverted off the right side of the grass runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage and right wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system about 3 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 220° at 10 knots. The pilot landed on runway 18. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during the landing roll on the grass runway, the airplane began to veer to the right before the tailwheel was down. He added that he applied left rudder; however, the airplane pitched forward and the propeller struck the ground. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest inverted off the right side of the grass runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage and right wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system about 3 nautical miles from the accident site, about the time of the accident, reported the wind from 220° at 10 knots. The pilot landed on runway 18. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N157WB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N157WB), registered now, S/N 1139-2014, built 2014 (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-H1B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-h1b) (registry code 41883, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1139-2014 - Year built: 2014 - Airframe hours: 262.2 - Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360-H1B 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 2017 - Departed: 82J, Ferguson, FL - Destination: 82J, Ferguson, FL - Airport: 82J, Ferguson, runway 18, 3,200 × 200 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 14, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 4,140 total, 21.2 in this make and model, 3,681 as pilot in command, 29.5 in the last 90 days, 15.3 in the last 30 days, 4.1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KNPA, 3 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 20170701010809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170701010809A), Jul 1, 2017: American Champion Aircraft 8KCAB, Ferguson, FL, Substantial damage. Airman indicated that he was making a wheel landing to the grass runway 18. After touchdown the aircraft started to veer to the right. The airman attempted to… ## Other investigations on N157WB (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 ERA26FA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26FA067), Dec 13, 2025: American Champion 8KCAB (N157WB), Irvington, AL, substantial damage, 1 fatal, investigation ongoing ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 23, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95517. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 843 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455611&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 476 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455612&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.