# NTSB MIA04CA053: American Champion 7GCAA, N246SG, Sebring, FL, February 11, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 11, 2004, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Sebring, FL
- Coordinates: 27.45, -81.349998
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4500&lon=-81.3500&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 28, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 58739
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA04CA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58739/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA04CA053

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control during the landing rollout which resulted in the airplane ground looping and incurring damage.

## 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)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

The pilot stated that his approach to land on runway 18 was uneventful.  The pilot further stated that as the airplane touched down on the mains and tail wheels simultaneously, the airplane suddenly veered to the left. He said he applied right rudder  in an attempt maintain control of the airplane, but it skidded and swung to the left.  According to the pilot, there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

On February 11, 2004, about 1400 eastern standard time, an American Champion 7GCAA, N246SG, registered to and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, ground looped during landing at the Sebring Regional Airport, Sebring, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot and passenger received no injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated from Avon Park Municipal Airport, Avon Park, Florida, the same day, about 1330.

The pilot stated that his approach to land on runway 18 was uneventful.  The pilot further stated that as the airplane touched down on the mains and tail wheels simultaneously, the airplane suddenly veered to the left. He said he applied right rudder  in an attempt maintain control of the airplane, but it skidded and swung to the left.  According to the pilot, there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N246SG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N246SG), registered now, S/N 473-2003, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: American Champion (ACAC) 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: 473-2003
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John R. & Claire M. Lensis
- Registered owner: John R. & Claire M. Lensis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: AVO, Avon Park, FL
- Destination: SEF, Sebring, FL
- Airport: KSEB, Sebring Regional Airport, runway 18

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 530 total, 37 in this make and model, 49 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg

## 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 20040211013689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040211013689A), Feb 11, 2004: Bbavia 7GCAA, Sebring, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft was attempting a landing on rny 18 at Sebring municipal airport; winds were light & variable. Pilot stated that all aspects of the approach and…

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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