# NTSB IAD98LA038: Champion 7ECA, N7507F, Castlewood, VA, March 15, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 15, 1998, 15:18 local (20:18 UTC) - Place: Castlewood, VA - Coordinates: 36.869709, -82.279151 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8697&lon=-82.2792&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28285 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD98LA038 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28285/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA038 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to achieve the proper touchdown point and the delayed execution of the go around. A contributing factor was the fence. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, landing - aborted - object - fence (contributing factor) - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted ## Analysis The pilot was landing towards the west on the 2,400 foot grass runway. A 3 foot high electric cattle fence bounded the east and west ends of the landing strip. Witnesses reported that the airplane touched down past midfield, bounced several times, and was approaching the end of the strip when they heard the sound of the engine accelerating. The witnesses also reported that the airplane was only a few feet above the ground in a nose high attitude as it crossed over the electric cattle fence. The airplane impacted the top of an embankment after crossing a 40 foot deep ravine. Examination of the wreckage revealed no mechanical malfunction with the airframe or engine. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector examined the wreckage/crash site and reported that the top strand of wire on the electric cattle fence, which was approximately 30 inches above the ground, was broken. ## Factual narrative On March 15, 1998, about 1518 eastern standard time, a Champion 7ECA, N7507F, was substantially damaged as it collided with terrain after an aborted landing on a private airstrip near Castlewood, Virginia. The certificated private pilot/co-owner died April 15, 1998, from his injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, which originated from the Virginia Highlands Airport, Abingdon, Virginia. The owner of the private grass airstrip, located at 1,700 feet above mean sea level, described the runway as, " 2,400 feet long, oriented east/west, with a 3 foot high electric cattle fence at either end." Friends of the pilot and the co-owner of the airplane reported that the pilot flew there frequently and was familiar with the private airstrip. Witnesses recounted a strong glare from the sun at the time the airplane was landing. They stated that the airplane touched down past midfield, bounced several times, and was approaching the end of the strip when they heard the sound of the engine accelerating. The witnesses reported that "the airplane was only a few feet above the ground in a nose high attitude as it crossed over the electric cattle fence." The airplane traversed a 40 foot deep ravine, but impacted the top of an embankment which was level with the grass runway. The airplane was found near the bottom of the embankment in an upright position. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector examined the wreckage. The examination revealed no mechanical malfunction with the airframe or engine. The Inspector reported that the carburetor heat was found in the "on" position. The Inspector scoured the grass runway and found marks matching the main landing gear about 50 feet prior to the electric cattle fence. The Inspector stated that the top strand of wire on the electric cattle fence, which was approximately 30 inches above the ground, was broken. The Inspector found paint scraped off the leading edges of the spring steel landing gear, which he reported could not be associated with anything on the embankment. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7507F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7507F), registered now, S/N 718, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7ECA - Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (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: 718 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sidney G. Adams - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: VJI, ABINGDON, VA - Destination: NONE - Airport: runway 27, 2,000 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 86; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 4,664 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TRI, 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 19980315013569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980315013569A), Mar 15, 1998: Bbavia 7ECA, Va, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Landed last third privates strip. Sun blinded. Bounced began go around. Carb heat on. Hit fence. Mushed into a berm (.4)on March 15, 1998, about 1518 eastern… 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.