# NTSB GAA19CA019: Champion 7ECA, N36268, Cleveland, TX, October 5, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 5, 2018, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Cleveland, TX - Coordinates: 30.336389, -94.939445 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3364&lon=-94.9394&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 April 8, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98474 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA019 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98474/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98474 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA019 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in a gusting 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: [Bellanca 7ECA, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1220460), [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 7ECA, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1220460), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Bellanca 7ECA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=1220460), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Bellanca 7ECA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=1220460), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Bellanca 7ECA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=1220460), [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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ECA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=1220460), [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 7ECA, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1220460), [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 7ECA, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1220460), [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: [Bellanca 7ECA, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=1220460), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while landing on a private grass airstrip in a crosswind, a wind gust from the right made the tailwheel-equipped airplane weathervane into the wind. He added that, while correcting for the crosswind, the airplane drifted left, and the left main landing gear sunk into soft ground. The airplane then pivoted left, the right main landing gear exited the runway, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, right wing spar, and left wing lift strut. The pilot reported that the wind was variable at 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots. 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 reported that, while landing on a private grass airstrip, in a crosswind, a gust from the right made the tailwheel-equipped airplane weathervane into the wind. He added that, while correcting for the crosswind, the airplane drifted left, and the left main landing gear sunk into soft ground. The airplane pivoted left, the right main landing gear exited the runway, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, right wing spar, and the left wing lift strut. The pilot reported that the wind was variable at 10 knots, gusting 15 knots. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N36268](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36268-2019-05-21), registration cancelled 2019-05-21, S/N 963-73, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7ECA (No Series) - Registry model: [Bellanca 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7eca) (registry code 1220460) (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: 963-73 - Year built: 1973 - Engines: reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic - Departed: 6R3, Cleveland, TX - Destination: Cleveland, TX - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 7, 2018; seat: front; flight hours: 22,000 total, 234 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,600 ft broken - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KCXO, 25 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 20181005016689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181005016689A), Oct 5, 2018: Bellanca 7ECA, Cleveland, TX, Substantial damage. The accident occurred on a private grass strip 2 miles east of 6R3. The grass strip is aproximently 1/2 a mile long and is 30 feet wide. The pilot stated there… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 6, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98474. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 845 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470074&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Pictures (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 176 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470075&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Pictures-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.