# NTSB GAA19CA177: Champion 7EC, N815PB, Fayetteville, AR, March 24, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 24, 2019, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Fayetteville, AR - Coordinates: 35.979999, -94.069999 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9800&lon=-94.0700&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99166 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA177 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99166/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99166 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA177 ## Probable cause The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during takeoff as he attempted to avoid power lines, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7EC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=21101NM), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/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 7EC, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=21101NM), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Champion 7EC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=21101NM), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [Champion 7EC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=21101NM), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7EC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=21101NM), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Champion 7EC, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=21101NM), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff from a private lake, the float plane did not "climb as the day before." Upon reaching the end of the lake, he "pulled up hard" on the yoke to avoid power lines, but the "left wing [stalled]," and the float plane impacted the ground. The float plane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 190° at 12 knots, gusting to 21 knots. An automated weather observation station about 5 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 190° at 11 knots. The airplane departed the lake with a 180° heading. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff from a private lake, the float plane did not "climb as the day before." Upon reaching the end of the lake, he "pulled up hard" on the yoke to avoid power lines, but the "left wing [stalled]" and the float plane impacted the ground. The float plane sustained substantial damage to both wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 190° at 12 knots gusting 21 knots. An automated weather observation station, about the time of the accident, about 5 nautical miles from the accident site, reported the wind was from 190° at 11 knots. The airplane departed the private lake with a 180° heading. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N815PB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N815PB-2022-09-24), registration cancelled 2022-09-24, S/N 7EC453 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7EC (453) - Registry model: [Champion 7EC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ec) (registry code 21101NM) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7EC453 - Year built: 1956 - Airframe hours: 6700 - Engines: Lycoming N235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 16, 2018 - Departed: Fayetteville, AR - Destination: Fayetteville, AR - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 8, 2019; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,250 total, 25 in this make and model, 1,250 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KFYV, 5 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 20190324001979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190324001979A), Mar 24, 2019: Champion 7EC, Fayetteville, AR, Substantial damage. On March 24 2019, N815PB departed on floats from a Water strip sw of fyv. Aircraft was heavier than usual (full fuel), less headwind than usual, warmer… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 11, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99166. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474078&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 167 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40474079&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.