# NTSB SEA96LA191: Champion 7ECA, N9542S, Lander, WY, August 19, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 19, 1996, 07:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Lander, WY - Coordinates: 42.829658, -108.719863 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8297&lon=-108.7199&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 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42445 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA191 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42445/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA191 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. Factors relating to the accident were: the variable and gusty wind conditions. ## 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 - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - go-around - initiated, pilot in command - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - object - fence ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had just been checked out in the tail-wheel equipped airplane by his flight instructor. He decided to practice touch-and-go landings. During the first solo landing, a gust of wind raised the right wing, and the airplane veered to the right. The pilot stated that he added full power, and the airplane became airborne. The pilot leveled the wings; however, the airplane did not gain sufficient altitude to clear the airport perimeter fence. It settled to the ground, and during the landing roll, the landing gear collapsed and both wings were damaged. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical failure or malfunction with the airplane before the accident. The wind was reported to be variable at 3 gusting 10 knots. ## Factual narrative On August 19, 1996, at 0700 mountain daylight time, a Champion 7ECA, N9542S, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with an airport boundary fence after the pilot was unable to maintain control of the airplane during the landing at Hunt Field, Lander, Wyoming. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The pilot reported that he had just been checked out in the tail-wheel equipped airplane by his flight instructor. After the pilot dropped the flight instructor off, he decided to practice touch-and-go landings by himself. The pilot stated that during the first solo landing, a gust of wind raised the right wing and the airplane suddenly veered to the right. The pilot stated that he added full power and the airplane became airborne. The pilot was able to level the wings, however, the airplane did not gain sufficient altitude to clear the airport perimeter fence. The landing gear struck the fence and the airplane settled to the ground. During the landing roll the landing gear collapsed and both wings were damaged. The pilot reported that the engine was running at the time of the collision and he reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9542S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9542S-2018-08-10), registration cancelled 2018-08-10, S/N 266, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7ECA - Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 266 - Airframe hours: 1840 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Joseph R. Kenney - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 13, 1996, 10 hours before - Airport: LND, Hunt Field, runway 3, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 304 total, 7 in this make and model, 237 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots, gusting 10 - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LND ## 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 19960819023289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960819023289A), Aug 19, 1996: Bbavia 7ECA, Lander, WY, Substantial damage. Lost control landing due wind gust. Added power. Lifted but struck perimeter fence. Collapsed gear. Bent wings. ## Other investigations on N9542S (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 SEA02LA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA134), Jul 14, 2002: Champion 7ECA (N9542S), Kittitas, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to conduct an adequate preflight inspection of the fuel resulting in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent forced landing. A contributing factor was the rocky terrain encountered… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.