# NTSB SEA91LA070: Champion 7ECA, N371RF, Everett, WA, March 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 26, 1991, 18:18 local (Mar 27, 1991, 02:18 UTC)
- Place: Everett, WA
- Coordinates: 47.980823, -122.200202 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9808&lon=-122.2002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41402
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41402/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA070

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING ROLL.  FACTORS TOT HE ACCIENT WERE THE PILOT INADEQUATELY PLANNED THE APPROACH, AND UNCONTROLLED GROUND-LOOP, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF AIRCRAFT.

## 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, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll

## Analysis

AT THEN END OF A FLIGHT, THE PILOT INTENED TO LAND THE AIRPLANE LONG DOWN THE RUNWAY.  UPON TOUCH-DOWN, THE AIRSPEED WAS HIGHER THAN NORMAL AND THE AIRPLANE BECAME 'SQUIRELLY.' THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY AND GROUND-LOOPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N371RF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N371RF-2018-01-23), registration cancelled 2018-01-23, S/N 506, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7ECA
- Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 506
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rodney O. Ziegler
- Registered owner: Rodney O. Ziegler
- Departed: S88, ARLINGTON, WA
- Airport: PAE, Paine Fld, runway 34, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 174 total, 11 in this make and model, 163 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19910326010989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910326010989A), Mar 26, 1991: Bbavia 7ECA, Everett, WA, Substantial damage. Lost control and ground looped off runway on landing. Was first solo in the tail wheel aircraft.

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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