# NTSB LAX04LA044: American Champion 7GCAA, N124WD, Pacoima, CA, November 14, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 14, 2003, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Pacoima, CA - Coordinates: 34.259445, -118.413612 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2594&lon=-118.4136&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: WP-VNY-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58347 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04LA044 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58347/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA044 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in an on-ground collision with a sign and an unoccupied airplane. ## 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) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - airport sign/marker - object - aircraft parked/standing ## Analysis The airplane collided with a series of objects following a loss of directional control while on the landing roll. The student pilot reported that he was performing full-stop takeoff and landings. During the rollout on his third landing, about halfway down the runway, the airplane began to drift to the left. He added full power and a combination of left aileron and rudder input in an effort to stay on the runway. The airplane's right wheel collided with a taxiway sign located off the left side of the runway. The airplane continued to the left, crossed a taxiway, and collided with an unoccupied airplane. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. At the time of the accident, winds in the area were reportedly calm. ## Factual narrative On November 14, 2003, about 1100 Pacific standard time, an American Champion 7GCAA, N124WD, collided with a series of objects following a loss of directional control while on the landing roll at Whiteman Airport (WHP), Pacoima, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed WHP about 1050 for the local flight in the pattern. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. During a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported that he was performing full-stop takeoff and landings on runway 12. During the rollout on his third landing, about halfway down the runway, the airplane encountered a strong crosswind. The airplane's right wing lifted, and the airplane began to drift to the left. He added full power and a combination of left aileron and rudder input in effort to stay on the runway. The airplane's right wheel collided with a taxiway sign located off the left side of the runway. The airplane continued to the left, crossed a taxiway, and collided with an unoccupied airplane that was parked in the tie-down area. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. A routine aviation weather report (METAR) for Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport (BUR), Burbank, California (located 4.4 nautical miles southeast from the accident site), indicated that about 7 minutes prior to the accident winds were calm. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N124WD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N124WD), registered now, S/N 444-2000, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: American Champion 7GCAA - Registry model: [American Champion 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-champion-7gcaa) (registry code 2121002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 444-2000 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal - Departed: KWHP, Pacoima, CA - Airport: WHP, Whiteman Airport, runway 12, 4,120 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 210 total, 210 in this make and model, 8 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KBUR, 4 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 20031114032979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031114032979A), Nov 14, 2003: Bbavia 7GCAA, Los Angeles, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The student pilot was performing touch & go's with full stops. The pilot had already performed two successful take-off and landings on runway 12. The… 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.