# NTSB NYC03LA140: Champion 7EC, N7570E, Point Pleasant, WV, June 27, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 27, 2003, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Point Pleasant, WV - Coordinates: 38.914443, -82.098335 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9144&lon=-82.0983&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 57349 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA140 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57349/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA140 ## Probable cause The CFI's failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a collision with trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - tree(s) ## Analysis After touching down on the runway, the certified flight instructor (CFI) advanced the throttle and the airplane began to accelerate normally. At approximately 50 miles per hour, the CFI raised the tailwheel, and the airplane began to swerve to the right. The CFI applied left rudder and aileron to correct the swerve, but despite the corrections, the airplane continued its path toward trees located east of the runway. At that point, the CFI decided to reduce the power, and the airplane struck a tree. The CFI did not report any malfunctions with the airframe or engine during the flight. ## Factual narrative On June 27, 2003, at 1545 eastern daylight time, an American Champion 7EC, N7570E, was substantially damaged while landing at the Mason County Airport (3I2), Point Pleasant, West Virginia. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and student pilot received minor injures. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to a statement provided by the CFI, he and the student had just completed a 2-hour instructional flight. After landing on runway 25, a 4,000-foot-long, 75-foot-wide asphalt runway, the airplane was stopped, and the pilots switched cockpit positions, so that the CFI could fly. The CFI conducted a series of touch and go landings to runway 25. After successfully completing a third landing, the CFI advanced the throttle and the airplane began to accelerate normally. At approximately 50 miles per hour, the CFI raised the tailwheel, and the airplane began to swerve to the right. The CFI applied left rudder and aileron to correct the swerve, but despite the corrections, the airplane continued its path toward trees located east of the runway. At that point, the CFI decided to reduce the power, and the airplane struck a tree. The CFI and student pilot did not report experiencing any malfunctions with the airframe or engine during the flight. Examination of the wreckage by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector did not reveal any abnormalities with the airplane's flight controls. At the same inspection, the FAA inspector noted damage to the right wing and tail section. The CFI reported 6,550 hours of total flight experience, which included 30 hours in the same make and model of the accident airplane. A weather observation at the Tri-State Airport, located southwest of 3I2, at 1551, reported winds variable at 4 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, sky conditions broken at 5,000 feet, temperature 73 degree Fahrenheit, dew point temperature 57 degrees Fahrenheit, and altimeter setting 30.05 inches of Hg. ## Aircraft - Registration: N7570E (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Champion 7EC - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 262 - Engines: Continental C 85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ronald K. Fraley - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 3I2, Point Pleasant, WV - Destination: 3I2, Point Pleasant, WV - Airport: 3I2, Mason County Airport, runway 7, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 43; injuries: minor; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 24, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 6,550 total, 30 in this make and model, 6,350 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 43; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 154 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: HTS, 39 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 20030627030549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030627030549A), Jun 27, 2003: Bbavia 7FC, Point Pleasant, WV, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot reported during take-off and landings at 312 (Mason County Airport), on the third complete touch and go the tail came up normally, at approximately… 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.