# NTSB NYC95LA226: Champion 7KCAB, N6304N, Auburn, NY, September 23, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 23, 1995, 17:18 local (21:18 UTC) - Place: Auburn, NY - Coordinates: 42.930248, -76.5606 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9302&lon=-76.5606&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39053 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA226 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39053/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA226 ## Probable cause the loss of airplane control as a result of a jammed rudder for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command - flight control,rudder - jammed (cause) - flight control,rudder - undetermined (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command - bail-out/emergency ejection - performed, pilot in command - bail-out/emergency ejection - performed, passenger - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot/owner and passenger were performing aerobatic maneuvers at 5,000 feet. At the completion of a snap roll, the rudder was jammed fully to the left, and the airplane continued to roll. Unable to control the airplane, the pilot directed his passenger to bail out at 3,500 feet. Still unable to control the airplane, the pilot bailed out at 2,000 feet. The pilot and passenger parachuted to the ground without injury, while the airplane descended uncontrolled and impacted the ground. Extensive damage to the rudder precluded determining its operational condition. ## Factual narrative On September 23, 1995, at 1718 eastern daylight time, a Champion 7KCAB, N6304N, was destroyed when it collided with terrain after the occupants bailed out near Auburn, New York. The commercial rated pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, for the personal aerobatic flight that originated at Skaneateles, New York, at 1630. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot/owner stated that he was performing aerobatic maneuvers with his son at 5,000 feet. He further stated: ...The final maneuver was a snap roll to the left. The snap roll was entered at 85 miles per hour, full aft stick and full left rudder were engaged, which produced a snap roll to the left. Approximately 3/4 through the snap roll I neutralized the rudder, but the roll continued past the upright position...The left rudder pedal was jammed against the fire wall...the deflection of the rudder created a significant yaw turn to the left...At approximately 4,000 feet AGL it was my determination that the plane could not be landed safely ...[My son] exited the aircraft at approximately 3,500 feet AGL...At 2,000 feet AGL I elected to exit the aircraft...Both my son and I were uninjured...and the aircraft impacted within a couple hundred yards of us... According to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, examination of the wreckage revealed that the airplane was destroyed during impact, and no pre-impact failure of the airplane structure could be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6304N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6304N-1998-04-29), registration cancelled 1998-04-29, S/N 22 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7KCAB - Registry model: [Champion 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7kcab) (registry code 21101P3) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 733801 - Airframe hours: 2105 - Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-320-E2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dominic Trivinonno - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1995, 50 hours before - Departed: 6B9, SKANEATELES, NY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 570 total, 95 in this make and model, 515 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SYR, 22 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 19950923030079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950923030079A), Sep 23, 1995: Bbavia 7KCAB, Auburn, NY, Destroyed. During aerobatic roll rudder jammed full left. Roll continued. Pilot and passenger bailed out. Cause undetermined. 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.