# NTSB NYC96LA151: American Champion 7EC, N8910R, Rochester, NH, July 17, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 17, 1996, 10:52 local (14:52 UTC) - Place: Rochester, NH - Location: 43.3045° N, 70.9756° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Rochester, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3045&lon=-70.9756&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 1, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39219 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA151 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39219/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA151 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for winds and his failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a ground loop and dragging of the wing on the runway. ## 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 - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot/owner and a passenger were landing on runway 33 at their destination airport. The pilot stated that after touchdown, as the airplane decelerated, he lowered the tail of the airplane to the runway. A gust of wind then caused the airplane to 'weathervane,' the airplane ground looped, and the right wing struck the ground. The pilot estimated the winds were from 300 degrees at 8 knots. ## Factual narrative On July 17, 1996, at 1052 eastern daylight time, an American Champion 7EC, N8910R, was substantially damaged after landing at the Skyhaven Airport, Rochester, New Hampshire. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at Hampton, New Hampshire, about 1030. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector interviewed the pilot. In the Inspector's statement, he said: "...The pilot landed on runway 33 at the Skyhaven Airport in wind conditions he estimated were from 300 degrees at 8 knots As the aircraft decelerated, the pilot lowered the tail to the runway. Approaching a taxiway, a gust of wind caused the airplane to 'weathervane.' The airplane departed the left side of the runway and ground looped." Examination of the wreckage by the FAA Inspector revealed no preimpact failure of the airplane's controls. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8910R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8910R), registered now, S/N 7EC-716, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: American Champion (ACAC) 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: 716 - Airframe hours: 2600 - Engines: Continental C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: George O. Olson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 1995, 108 hours before - Departed: 7BE, HAMPTON, NH - Destination: 6B1 - Airport: 6B1, Sky Haven, runway 33, 4,001 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,475 total, 810 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 8 knots, gusting 10 - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 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 19960717018019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960717018019A), Jul 17, 1996: Bbavia 7EC, Rochester, NH, Substantial damage. As tail came down landing a wind gust weathervaned the aircraft exited runway and ground looped. 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.