# NTSB SEA93LA131: Champion 7GC, N8947R, Gillette, WY, June 14, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1993, 10:49 local (16:49 UTC)
- Place: Gillette, WY
- Coordinates: 43.749603, -105.490783 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7496&lon=-105.4908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 10, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43038
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43038/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA131

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S NOT MAINTAINING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE OVERLOAD OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR. A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN CONVENTIONALLY GEARED 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 in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE LANDING ON RUNWAY 34 THE CONVENTIONALLY GEARED AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO OSCILLATE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE PILOT IN COMMAND WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND AS THE OSCILLATION INCREASED IN SEVERITY, THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED DUE TO SIDE LOADING. THE PILOT REPORTED TO THE INVESTIGATOR THAT HE HAD MINIMAL TIME IN CONVENTIONALLY GEARED AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8947R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8947R), registered now, S/N 7GC163, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7GC
- Registry model: [Champion 7GC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gc) (registry code 21101N2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7GC163
- Airframe hours: 1802
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2B 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Greer, Randy & Knutson, Jim
- Registered owner: Greer, Randy & Knutson, Jim
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 19, 1993, 11 hours before
- Departed: GCC
- Destination: GCC
- Airport: GCC, Campbell County, runway 34, 7,500 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 810 total, 3 in this make and model, 690 as pilot in command, 205 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19930614017849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930614017849A), Jun 14, 1993: Bbavia 7GC, Gillette, WY, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on landing over controlled swerve. Turned sharply. Collapsed left main. Unskilled in type.

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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