# NTSB GAA18CA442: Champion 7GC, N2127C, Warren, AR, July 14, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 14, 2018, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Warren, AR - Coordinates: 33.564445, -92.081108 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5644&lon=-92.0811&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 March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97899 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA442 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97899/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97899 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA442 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## 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 7GC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=21101N2), [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: [Champion 7GC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=21101N2), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 7GC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=21101N2), [All aircraft, 1,506 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 7GC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=21101N2), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during a three-point landing in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, as soon as the airplane touched down, the tailwheel shimmied. He raised the tail attempting to keep the airplane straight, but it veered right. He applied left brake, but the airplane continued toward a ditch. He then applied right rudder and right brake attempting to spin the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left elevator. The pilot reported that the wind was from 230° at 4 knots at the accident airport. The automated weather observation system about 17 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 230° at 7 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 21. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during a three-point landing, in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, as soon as the airplane touched down the tailwheel shimmied. He raised the tail attempting to keep the airplane straight, but it veered to the right. He applied left brake, but the airplane continued toward a ditch. He then applied right rudder and right brake attempting to spin the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left elevator. The pilot reported the wind to be 230° at 4 knots at the accident airport. The automated weather observation system about 17 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 230° at 7 knots. The pilot landed on runway 21. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2127C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2127C), registered now, S/N 7GC-50, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7GC (No Series) - Registry model: [Champion 7GC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gc) (registry code 21101N2) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7GC-50 - Year built: 1959 - Airframe hours: 2426 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-D2B 140 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 11, 2018 - Departed: 4M3, Carlisle, AR - Destination: 3M9, Warren, AR - Airport: 3M9, Warren Muni, runway 21, 3,829 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 12, 2018; seat: front; flight hours: 290 total, 150 in this make and model, 290 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 79 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: KLLQ, 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 20180714011169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180714011169A), Jul 14, 2018: Champion 7GC, Warren, AR, Substantial damage. Airman was attempting to land a Champion 7GC, N2127C July 14, 2018. Aircraft crashed on landing at Warren municipal airport (3M9). After inspection of aircraft… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 30, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97899. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 677 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467842&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Pictures (item 2, .PDF, 3 photos, 531 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467843&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Pictures-Master.PDF - Pilot Record of Conversation (item 3, .PDF, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467844&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Record%20of%20Conversation-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.