# NTSB IAD05LA011: Champion 7EC, N4306C, Clarksburg, WV, November 10, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 10, 2004, 11:40 local (16:40 UTC) - Place: Clarksburg, WV - Coordinates: 38.373054, -81.593055 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3731&lon=-81.5931&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60537 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD05LA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60537/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05LA011 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to operate the airplane's brake pedals which resulted in the loss of aircraft control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff - brakes(normal) - not used, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis While taxiing the airplane, the pilot reported to the tower controller that he "couldn't find the brakes." Instead of turning right, toward the runway, the airplane went straight off the end of the taxiway, down a 60-foot embankment, and impacted rocks at the bottom of a drainage ditch. During a post-accident examination, the right main landing gear was found bent up under the airplane; however, there was no visible damage to the braking system. The left main landing gear brake was tested, and functioned normally. The brake pedals were "rather small," and were operated by the pilot's heels instead of the more conventional toe brakes. ## Factual narrative On November 10, 2004, about 1140 eastern standard time, a Champion 7EC, N4306C, was substantially damaged while taxiing at Harrison/Marion Regional Airport (CKB), Clarksburg, West Virginia. The certificated private pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for local personal flight, conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he was taxiing northbound on taxiway A, and was unable to turn the airplane eastbound, to runway 21. The airplane "proceeded straight ahead, over the edge of a steep embankment, and came to rest in a drainage ditch at the bottom of the hill." A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that while the pilot was taxiing to runway 21, he advised the tower controller that he "couldn't find the brakes." The airplane went off the taxiway, down a 60-foot embankment, and impacted rocks at the bottom of a drainage ditch. The inspector further noted that the brake pedals were "rather small," and "designed to be operated by the pilot's heels, rather than the more conventional toe brakes." During a post-accident examination, the airplane's throttle control was found in the idle position, and the mixture was off. The right main landing gear was bent up under the airplane; however, there was no visible damage to the braking system. The left main landing gear brake was tested, and functioned normally. Weather, recorded at the airport about the time of the accident, included clear skies, and variable winds at 4 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4306C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4306C), registered now, S/N 7EC306, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7EC - Registry model: [Champion 7EC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ec) (registry code 21101NM) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 306 - Airframe hours: 2322 - Engines: Continental C90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 2004, 15 hours before - Departed: CKB, Clarksburg, WV - Airport: CKB, Harrison/Marion, runway 21, 7,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 81; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 16, 2002; seat: front; flight hours: 934 total, 897 in this make and model, 839 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.40 inHg - Observed at: CKB ## 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 20041110031139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041110031139A), Nov 10, 2004: Bbavia 7EC, Clarksburg, WV, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was taxiing northeast on taxiway a and was unable to locate the brake pedals. The brakes on this aircraft are rather small pedals, designed to… ## Other investigations on N4306C (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 NYC93LA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA160), Aug 15, 1993: Aeronca 7EC (N4306C), Moneta, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AFTER LANDING, RESULTING IN A DEPARTURE FROM THE RUNWAY AND A COLLISION WITH TREES. 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.