# NTSB WPR12CA397: Champion 7GC, N61819, Spanish Fork, UT, September 3, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 3, 2012, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Spanish Fork, UT - Coordinates: 40.141666, -111.661392 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1417&lon=-111.6614&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 11, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84936 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA397 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84936/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84936 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA397 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7GC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=21101N2), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7GC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=21101N2), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7GC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=21101N2), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was performing touch-and-go takeoffs and landings for proficiency. On the last rollout, the pilot relaxed for a brief moment, and the airplane started to veer to the left; the pilot was unable to recover. The airplane ground looped and the landing gear collapsed. The propeller contacted the ground, the right wing tip struck the pavement, and the tailwheel attachment was bent. The pilot said the accident could have been prevented if he had been more proficient in tailwheel-equipped airplanes. He reported 3 hours within the last 90 days. ## Factual narrative The pilot was performing touch-and-go landings for proficiency. On the last roll-out, he relaxed for a brief moment. The airplane started to veer to the left, and the pilot was unable to recover. It ground looped to the left; one landing gear collapsed, the propeller contacted the ground, the right wing tip struck the pavement, and the tail wheel attachment was bent. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N61819](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61819-2018-01-05), registration cancelled 2018-01-05, S/N 7GC-78, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7GC - Registry model: [Champion 7GC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gc) (registry code 21101N2) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-290-D2](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-290-d2) (registry code 42090, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7GC-78 - Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 135 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Floyd Richey - Registered owner: Daniel W Young - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: U77, Spanish Fork, UT - Destination: U77, Spanish Fork, UT - Airport: U77, Spanish Fork Springvile Metro, runway 12, 6,700 × 300 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; flight instructor, flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 15,000 total, 311 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 175 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KPVU ## 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 20120903017909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120903017909A), Sep 3, 2012: Champion 7GC, Spanish Fork, UT, Substantial damage. The pilot had not flown conventional gear for an extended period of time. The pilot became current and then gave the aircraft owner and then his son a ride.… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 15, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84936. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378808&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.