# NTSB LAX01LA293: Champion 7FC, N9857B, Reno, NV, August 25, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 25, 2001, 10:28 local (17:28 UTC) - Place: Reno, NV - Coordinates: 39.539028, -119.750541 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5390&lon=-119.7505&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flt Stnds Dist Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 53133 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA293 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53133/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA293 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The aircraft had been converted from a tricycle landing gear configuration to a tail wheel configuration. The accident occurred as the pilot performed a wheel landing and, although the wind was reported calm, he thought there was a gust because the aircraft veered to the left, then reversed to the right, and ground looped. The main landing gear collapsed and the left wing contacted the runway. The pilot reported that on the previous landing the wind sock was "dead calm"; however, during the accident landing the wind sock showed a left crosswind. At the nearest weather reporting point, 11 miles distant, the surface wind speed was reported to have been 3 knots. ## Factual narrative On August 25, 2001, at 1028 hours Pacific daylight time, a Champion 7FC, N9857B, was substantially damaged during a landing ground loop at the Reno/Stead airport, Reno, Nevada. The commercial certificated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The local area personal flight was operated by the owner under 14 CFR Part 91, and departed at 0930. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot told the Safety Board investigator that the aircraft had been converted from a tricycle landing gear configuration to a (7EC) tail wheel configuration. The accident occurred as he performed a wheel landing on runway 26 and, although the wind was reported calm, he thought there was a gust because the aircraft veered to the left, then reversed to the right, and ground looped. The main landing gear collapsed and the left wing contacted the runway. The pilot reported that on the previous landing the wind sock was "dead calm"; however, during the accident landing the wind sock showed a left crosswind. At Reno International Airport, 11 miles southeast, the surface wind was reported to have been from 250 degrees at 3 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9857B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9857B), registered now, S/N 7FC-183, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7FC - Registry model: [Champion 7FC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7fc) (registry code 21101NX) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 183 - Airframe hours: 4147 - Engines: Continental C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael F. Walsh - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 2001, 6 hours before - Departed: 4SD, Reno, NV - Airport: 4SD, Reno/Stead, runway 26, 7,600 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review December 20, 1999; seat: front; flight hours: 10,500 total, 93 in this make and model, 10,387 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: RNO, 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 20010825022699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010825022699A), Aug 25, 2001: Bbavia 7FC, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. (.19) On August 25, 2001, at 1028 hours pacific daylight time, a champion 7FC, N9857B, was substantially damaged during a landing ground loop at the Reno/Stead… 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.