# NTSB WPR13CA357: Champion 7EC, N4738E, Sonoma, CA, August 2, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 2, 2013, 11:43 local (18:43 UTC)
- Place: Sonoma, CA
- Coordinates: 38.254444, -122.450553
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2544&lon=-122.4506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 87659
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA357
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87659/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87659
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA357

## 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.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7EC, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=21101NM), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [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 7EC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=21101NM), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7EC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=21101NM), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Champion 7EC, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=21101NM), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

During a practice landing, the pilot lost directional control on the landing roll and drifted towards the right. The pilot did not act in a timely manner to prevent the airplane from departing the runway surface and the airplane subsequently struck foliage and sustained substantial damage to the wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

During a practice landing, the pilot lost directional control on the landing roll and drifted towards the right. The pilot did not act in a timely manner to prevent the airplane from departing the runway surface and the airplane subsequently struck foliage and sustained substantial damage to the wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4738E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4738E), registered now, S/N 7EC-83, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7EC
- Registry model: [Champion 7EC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ec) (registry code 21101NM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7EC-83
- Year built: 1950
- Engines: CONT MOTOR C90 SERIES 95 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: 0Q9, Sonoma, CA
- Destination: 0Q9, Sonoma, CA
- Airport: 0Q9, Sonoma Skypark, runway 08, 2,480 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 28, 2012; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 17,000 total, 150 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observed at: DVO, 9 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 20130802014319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130802014319A), Aug 2, 2013: Champion 7EC, Sonoma, CA, Substantial damage. Sonoma Skypark - Aeronca Champion 7EC - s/n 7EC-83 - 1200LCL Owner (ATP) and low time private pilot performing touch and go's to give low time pilot experience…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 12, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87659. 353 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 327 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405048&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405240&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.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.

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