# NTSB LAX95LA028: Champion 7ECA, N7MM, Mariposa, CA, October 29, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 29, 1994, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Mariposa, CA
- Coordinates: 37.489967, -119.999313 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4900&lon=-119.9993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 5, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28977
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28977/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA028

## Probable cause

the unqualified student pilot's improper use of the brakes and his failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft.  The pilot's lack of total experience is a factor in this accident.

## 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
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE NON-CERTIFICATED PILOT WAS COMPLETING A VISUAL FLIGHT RULES PERSONAL FLIGHT WITH A PASSENGER. DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT, THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY APPLIED UNEVEN BRAKING AND THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED. THE PILOT'S THIRD CLASS MEDICAL/STUDENT PILOT'S CERTIFICATE EXPIRED ON JUNE 30, 1993.

## Factual narrative

On October 29, 1994, at 1200 hours Pacific daylight time, a Champion 7ECA, N7MM, ground looped and dragged its right wing during the landing roll on runway 26 at Mariposa-Yosemite Airport, Mariposa, California.  The pilot was completing a visual flight rules personal flight.  The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage.  Neither the noncertificated student pilot nor his passenger was injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight originated at Mariposa-Yosemite Airport at 1100 hours.

National Transportation Safety Board investigators obtained a telephone statement from the pilot on November 1, 1994.  The pilot said that he was taking his fiancee on a birthday flight.  On landing, he inadvertently applied uneven brake pressure during the landing rollout.  The airplane then ground looped.

The pilot also said that his third-class medical/student pilot  certificate had lapsed.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airman's Records Section, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, show that the pilot was issued a third-class medical/student pilot certificate on June 25, 1991; the certificate was valid until June 30, 1993.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7MM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7ECA
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 493
- Airframe hours: 2368
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Nebeker, Gene
- Registered owner: Clark, Lawanna
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 1993, 40 hours before
- Departed: O68
- Destination: O68, CA
- Airport: O68, Mariposa-Yosemite, runway 26, 3,310 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 39 total, 6 in this make and model, 14 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19941029037089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941029037089A), Oct 29, 1994: Bbavia 7ECA, Mariposa, CA, Substantial damage. Non certificated pilot with passenger ground looped landing. Student medical expired in June 93.

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.

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