# NTSB SEA07CA272: Jeffrey Wilson Escapade, N7078T, La Grande, OR, September 20, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 20, 2007, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: La Grande, OR
- Coordinates: 45.29, -118.006942
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2900&lon=-118.0069&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66754
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA272
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66754/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA272

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing, which resulted in a ground loop and substantial damage to the airplane's left wing.  A contributing factor was the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - encountered
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - runway (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The student pilot stated that he lost directional control while landing.  Subsequently, the airplane ground looped to the right followed by the right wing impacting the runway pavement, resulting in substantial damage.  The student pilot further stated that wind was not a factor and that no anomalies existed with the airplane prior to the flight.  The CFI reported that by the time he responded to the loss of control, "There just wasn't enough time.  It was too late."

## Factual narrative

The student pilot stated that he lost directional control while landing.  Subsequently, the airplane ground looped to the right followed by the right wing impacting the runway pavement, resulting in substantial damage.  The student pilot further stated that wind was not a factor and that no anomalies existed with the airplane prior to the flight.  The CFI reported that by the time he responded to the loss of control, "There just wasn't enough time.  It was too late."

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7078T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Jeffrey Wilson Escapade
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: JAES C0042
- Engines: Rotax unk reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brad T. Payne
- Registered owner: Jeffrey B. Wilson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: KLG, La Grande, OR
- Destination: KLG, La Grande, OR
- Airport: KLG, La Grande/Union County Airport, runway 30, 5,600 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 9,000 total, 61 in this make and model
- Student pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observed at: KLG

## 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 20070920022689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070920022689A), Sep 20, 2007: Justac ESCAPADE, La Grande, OR, Minor damage. (-23) Upon landing, aircraft veered to the left and then ground looped to the right. This caused the left main gear to collapse and the propeller and left wing…

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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