# NTSB GAA18CA176: American Champion 7GCBC, N234RA, Ontario, OR, March 18, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 18, 2018, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Ontario, OR - Coordinates: 44.022499, -117.014724 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0225&lon=-117.0147&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 5, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96922 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA176 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96922/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96922 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA176 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's failure to maintain directional control during landing, in cross wind 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 7GCBC, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=21101PL), [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 · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [American Champion 7GCBC, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=21101PL), [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 7GCBC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=21101PL), [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-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [American Champion 7GCBC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=21101PL), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [American Champion 7GCBC, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=21101PL), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [American Champion 7GCBC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=21101PL), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [American Champion 7GCBC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=21101PL), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that, during the last landing of the day, which he performed in crosswind conditions, the tailwheel-equipped airplane bounced. He added that during the bounce, the airplane rolled right, and the right main landing gear touched down. Subsequently, once both main landing gear were on the runway the airplane veered sharply to the right and he lost directional control. The airplane exited the right side of the runway, the right main landing gear spindle and tire separated from the airplane, and the airplane came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the front spar. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located at the accident airport reported, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 210° at 8 knots. The flight instructor landed on runway 33. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that, during the last landing of the day, which he performed in crosswind conditions, the tailwheel-equipped airplane bounced. He added that during the bounce, the airplane rolled right, and the right main landing gear touched down. Subsequently, once both main landing gear were on the runway the airplane veered sharply to the right and he lost directional control. The airplane exited the right side of the runway, the right main landing gear spindle and tire separated from the airplane, and the airplane came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the front spar. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation system located at the accident airport reported, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 210° at 8 knots. The flight instructor landed on runway 33. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N234RA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N234RA), registered now, S/N 13512003, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AMERICAN CHAMPION AIRCRAFT 7GCBC (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [American Champion 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-champion-7gcbc) (registry code 21101PL) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1351-2003 - Year built: 2003 - Airframe hours: 680 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, November 30, 2017 - Departed: ONO, Ontario, OR - Destination: ONO, Ontario, OR - Airport: ONO, Ontario Muni, runway 33, 5,006 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 75; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed; last flight review September 8, 2017; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,532 total, 18 in this make and model, 3,378 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 46; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 22 total, 9 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: KONO ## 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 20180318004369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180318004369A), Mar 18, 2018: American Champion Aircraft 7GCBC, Ontario, OR, Substantial damage. On March 18, 2018, at approximately 1430 hrs mountain daylight time, an American champion model 7GCBC aircraft lost directional control on touchdown and… ## Other investigations on N234RA (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 WPR23LA355](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA355), Sep 7, 2023: American Champion 7GCBC (N234RA), Woodland, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 16, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96922. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 840 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463239&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (item 2, .PDF, 190 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463240&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-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.