# NTSB GAA18CA517: Champion 7GCBC, N7618S, Ocklawaha, FL, August 25, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 25, 2018, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Ocklawaha, FL - Coordinates: 29.123888, -81.887496 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1239&lon=-81.8875&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 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98183 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA517 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98183/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98183 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA517 ## 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: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1220601), [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: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, a wind gust from the right caused the airplane to weathervane. The airplane veered right off the runway, ground looped to the right, and the left wing and elevator impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left elevator. The pilot added that he was a "very experienced pilot, but very inexperienced with tailwheel operations." The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, a wind gust from the right side caused the airplane to weathervane. The airplane veered to the right off the runway, ground looped to the right, and the left wing and elevator impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left elevator. The pilot added that he is a "very experienced pilot, but very inexperienced with tailwheel operations." The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7618S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7618S), registered now, S/N 923-76, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7GCBC (No Series) - Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (registry code 1220601) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 923-76 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 1773 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 13, 2018 - Departed: FA38, Ocklawaha, FL - Destination: FA38, Ocklawaha, FL - Airport: FA38, Woods And Lakes Airpark, runway 03, 2,900 × 97 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor, private, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 22, 2018; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 11,300 total, 25 in this make and model, 11,000 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 11 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,200 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KVVG, 11 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 20180825016049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180825016049A), Aug 25, 2018: Bellanca 7GCBC, Ocklawaha, FL, Substantial damage. The aircraft involved encountered a crosswind during the landing. The pilot lost control during the landing rollout phase and allowed the aircraft to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 19, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98183. 5.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468452&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 134 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468453&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.