# NTSB GAA18CA279: Champion 7ECA, N6333N, Morrilton, AR, May 12, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 11, 2018, 19:00 local (May 12, 2018, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Morrilton, AR - Coordinates: 35.13639, -92.714996 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1364&lon=-92.7150&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 October 24, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97248 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA279 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97248/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97248 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA279 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control in variable 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: [Champion 7ECA, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 3,969 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: [Champion 7ECA, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 9,308 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: [Champion 7ECA, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 1,014 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Champion 7ECA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Champion 7ECA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 1,514 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7ECA, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Champion 7ECA, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 3,656 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Champion 7ECA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 1,789 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while landing to the west with a southwest crosswind, the airplane bounced and veered left, exited the runway, and ground looped to the left. The right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Additionally, the pilot reported that the wind was variable from the northwest at 10 to 15 knots. The airplane landed on runway 27. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, while landing to the west with a southwest crosswind, the airplane bounced and veered left, exited the runway, and ground looped to the left. The right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Additionally, the pilot reported that the wind was variable from the northwest at 10 to 15 knots. The airplane landed on runway 27. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6333N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6333N-2020-04-01), registration cancelled 2020-04-01, S/N 497, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7ECA (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 497 - Year built: 1967 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 5, 2017 - Departed: AR88, Conway, AR - Destination: BDQ, MORRILTON, AR - Airport: BDQ, Morrilton Muni, runway 27, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 26, 2017; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,045 total, 46.5 in this make and model, 970 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 0.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 8 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KRUE, 20 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 20180511007709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180511007709A), May 11, 2018: Champion 7ECA, Morrilton, AR, Substantial damage. On may 12, 2018 at 1900 CST, a citabria champ 7ECA, N6333N,. Departed the side of the runway during the landing phase of flight at the Morrilton, AR airport… ## Other investigations on N6333N (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 IAD70DHD33](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD70DHD33), Jun 9, 1970: Champion 7ECA (N6333N), Dover, DE, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 14, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97248. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465843&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465844&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.