# NTSB SEA08CA088: American Champion 7GCAA, N75SE, Tracy, CA, March 8, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 8, 2008, 12:05 local (20:05 UTC)
- Place: Tracy, CA
- Coordinates: 37.666667, -121.301109
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6667&lon=-121.3011&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Adminsitration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67642
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67642/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA088

## Probable cause

The flight instructor's inadequate compensation for the tailwind condition and failure to maintain adequate airspeed that led to an inadvertent stall.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified; cases with it: [American Champion 7GCAA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2121002), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [American Champion 7GCAA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2121002), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [American Champion 7GCAA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=2121002), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [American Champion 7GCAA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2121002), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [American Champion 7GCAA, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2121002), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The certified flight instructor (CFI) was demonstrating a simulated engine failure during takeoff initial climb by executing a 180-degree turn back to the airport.  As the CFI was completing the maneuver, he initiated a go-around by applying full power.  Subsequently the airplane stalled and impacted the runway in a left-wing low attitude.  The CFI stated he was aware of the tailwind condition he would encounter as the airplane completed the 180-degree turn and that upon exiting the airplane, he noted the wind to be considerably higher than he had expected.  Examination of the airplane revealed that the left and right wings sustained substantial damage.  No anomalies were noted with the engine or flight control systems.

## Factual narrative

The certified flight instructor (CFI) was demonstrating a simulated engine failure during takeoff initial climb by executing a 180-degree turn back to the airport.  As the CFI was completing the maneuver, he initiated a go-around by applying full power.  Subsequently the airplane stalled and impacted the runway in a left wing low attitude.  The CFI stated he was aware of the tailwind condition he would encounter as the airplane completed the 180-degree turn and that upon exiting the airplane, he noted the wind to be considerably higher than he had expected.  Examination of the airplane revealed that the left and right wings sustained substantial damage.  No anomalies were noted with the engine or flight control systems.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N75SE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N75SE), registered now, S/N 495-2005, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: American Champion (ACAC) 7GCAA
- Registry model: [American Champion 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-champion-7gcaa) (registry code 2121002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 495-2005
- Airframe hours: 913
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: West Valley Flying Club
- Registered owner: Andy's Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 1, 2007
- Departed: 1Q4, Palo Alto, CA
- Airport: 1Q4, New Jerusalem Airport, runway 12, 3,530 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 55; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: rear; flight hours: 5,100 total, 700 in this make and model, 4,950 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours
- Student pilot; age 35; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 129 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observed at: KSCK, 10 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 20080308011839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080308011839A), Mar 8, 2008: Bbavia 7GCAA, Tracy, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) To demonstrate an emergency return to the runway of departure after an engine failure, the CFI made a low approach to runway 30 at 1Q4, climbed to about…

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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