# NTSB NYC02LA179: Champion 7ECA, N5091X, Stow, MA, September 1, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 1, 2002, 11:50 local (15:50 UTC) - Place: Stow, MA - Coordinates: 42.460277, -71.517776 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4603&lon=-71.5178&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report April 17, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 55608 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC02LA179 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55608/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA179 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper recover from a bounce landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control and collision with a vehicle. A factor in this accident was the crosswind condition. ## 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 - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - aborted - object - vehicle ## Analysis The pilot was landing the tail-wheeled airplane on runway 3, a 2,770 foot-long, 48 foot-wide, asphalt runway. After touchdown, the airplane began to bounce and veer to the right. The airplane departed the right side of the runway and the pilot applied full power in an attempt to climb; however the airplane struck a car parked in an aircraft tie down area. Winds reported at an airport about 11 miles east of the accident site were from 120 degrees at 8 knots. ## Factual narrative On September 1, 2002, about 1150 eastern daylight time, a Champion 7ECA, N5091X, was substantially damaged when it struck a parked vehicle while landing at the Minute Man Air Field (6B6), Stow, Massachusetts. The certificated private pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The tail-wheeled airplane was landing on runway 3, a 2,770 foot-long, 48 foot-wide, asphalt runway. The pilot reported that the approach was normal; however, after touchdown, the airplane bounced and began to veer to the right. The airplane departed the right side of the runway and the pilot applied full power in an attempt to climb; however the airplane struck a car parked in an aircraft tie down area. Two witnesses at the airport stated they observed the airplane bouncing after touchdown. One witness said: "...Once the main gear touched, the tail came down swiftly, touched the surface, and just as swiftly went back up. It appeared that the propeller was about to strike when the tail started lowering again and the aircraft went airborne, after which the aircraft porpoised once or twice. On what I believe was the second porpoise, the left wing came up first, and the plane veered towards the right. The plane continued on this course, bouncing once on the right main gear in the grass, then the tail wheel bounced, but the left main gear did not touch this final time. The plane was headed straight for the line of parked cars and planes..." The pilot reported 421 hours of total flight experience, which included 35 hours in make and model. He did not report any mechanical malfunctions. Winds reported at an airport about 11 miles east of 6B6, at 1156, were from 120 degrees at 8 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5091X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5091X), registered now, S/N 656, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7ECA - Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 656 - Airframe hours: 1920 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ronald L. Emond - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 2, 2002, 20 hours before - Departed: EEN, KEENE, NH - Destination: 6B6, Stow, MA - Airport: 6B6, Minute Man Air Field, runway 3, 2,770 × 48 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 13, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 421 total, 35 in this make and model, 364 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.46 inHg - Observed at: BED, 10 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 20020901024299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020901024299A), Sep 1, 2002: Bbavia 7ECA, Stow, MA, Substantial damage. (-23) After landing on runway 30 at minuteman Stow airport, aircraft veered off the runway and collided with a parked automobile located on an aircraft… 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.