# NTSB SEA07CA042: American Champion 8GCBC, N186AC, Buckley, WA, January 5, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 4, 2007, 16:00 local (Jan 5, 2007, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Buckley, WA
- Coordinates: 47.150001, -122
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1500&lon=-122.0000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 26, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65118
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65118/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA042

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to release brake pressure soon enough when his airplane skidded from wet grass onto dry terrain during an off-airport, full-stop landing. A factor was the change in terrain from wet grass to dry ground in the landing area.

## 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
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - brakes(normal) - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

While landing in an open field covered with wet grass, the airplane's main wheels started to skid when the brakes were applied. When the airplane contacted drier terrain, the increase in braking effectiveness resulted in the tail wheel-equipped airplane nosing over.  Although the pilot tried to take remedial action by releasing all brake pressure, he was unable to do so soon enough to keep the airplane from nosing over.

## Factual narrative

While landing in an open field covered with wet grass, the aircraft's main wheels started to skid when the brakes were applied. When the aircraft came in contact with drier terrain, the increase in braking effectiveness caused the tail wheel-equipped aircraft to nose over. Although the pilot tried to take remedial action by releasing all brake pressure, he was unable to do so soon enough to keep the aircraft from nosing over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N186AC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N186AC), registered now, S/N 369-94, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: American Champion (ACAC) 8GCBC
- Registry model: [American Champion 8GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-champion-8gcbc) (registry code 2121004) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 369-94
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-C1E reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Thaddeus S Narolski
- Registered owner: Thaddeus S. Narolski
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: K1S0, Puyallup, WA
- Destination: Buckley, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 2,300 total, 25 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 36 °F

## 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 20070104000829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070104000829A), Jan 4, 2007: Bbavia 8GCBC, Buckley, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot departed thun field (1S0) for a job site in Buckley WA. Pilot was attempting to land at an off airport (turf) site. Pilot applied brake pressure,…

## Other investigations on N186AC (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 CHI04LA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA072), Feb 13, 2004: American Champion 8GCBC (N186AC), Sunburg, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper in-flight decision to land off-airport. A factor to the accident was the snow covered ditch.

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.

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