# NTSB MIA06LA068: Champion 7EC, N4387C, Zellwood, FL, March 19, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 19, 2006, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Zellwood, FL - Coordinates: 28.7308333333333, -81.6638888888889 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7308&lon=-81.6639&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Orlando FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 63372 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA06LA068 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63372/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA06LA068 ## Probable cause A loss of directional control due to the spring connecting the rudder to the tailwheel horn being detached. ## 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 - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - disconnected (cause) - directional control - not possible, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The pilot made a "normal approach" and landed on runway 09. He said that on rollout, "the aircraft began to swerve, first to the left, then to the right, then back to the left and finally swerved sharply to the right, leaving the runway and proceeding into a water filled drainage ditch that ran parallel to the runway." The airplane was later moved to a hangar. The pilot reported that post-accident examination revealed "the spring connecting the rudder to the tail wheel horn had detached." ## Factual narrative On March 19, 2006, approximately 1300 eastern standard time, a Champion 7EC, N4387, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it ground looped during landing at the Orlando North Airpark, Zellwood, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and passenger on board the airplane were not injured. The flight originated from Gilbert Airport, Winter Haven, Florida, approximately 1215. According to the pilot's accident report, he made a "normal approach" and landed on runway 09. "On rollout, the aircraft began to swerve, first to the left, then to the right, then back to the left and finally swerved sharply to the right, leaving the runway and proceeding into a water filled drainage ditch that ran parallel to the runway." The airplane was later moved to a hangar. The pilot said that post-accident examination revealed "the spring connecting the rudder to the tail wheel horn had detached." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4387C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4387C), registered now, S/N 7EC-416, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7EC - Registry model: [Champion 7EC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ec) (registry code 21101NM) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7EC-416 - Airframe hours: 3864 - Engines: Continental C90 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2005 - Departed: KGIF, Winter Haven, FL - Destination: FA83, Zellwood, FL - Airport: FA83, Orlando North Airpark, runway 09, 3,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2004; seat: rear; flight hours: 5,150 total, 1,075 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: LEE ## 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 20060319006469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060319006469A), Mar 19, 2006: Bbavia 7EC, Zellwood, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) Tail wheel steering springs became unattached to steering arm causing pilot to lose directional control of aircraft on landing roll-out. ## Other investigations on N4387C (1) 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. - [NTSB MIA88LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA062), Dec 12, 1987: Champion 7EC (N4387C), Ocoee, FL, substantial damage 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.