# NTSB WPR14CA016: Champion 7ECA, N9599S, Willows, CA, October 12, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 12, 2013, 10:40 local (17:40 UTC) - Place: Willows, CA - Coordinates: 39.455554, -122.236946 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4556&lon=-122.2369&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 2, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88194 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA016 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88194/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88194 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA016 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude while flying low over a field which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7ECA, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/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 7ECA, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Champion 7ECA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7ECA, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Champion 7ECA, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was flying low over a rice field when the wheels caught in the vegetation. The pilot tried to pull up, but the airplane was pulled down into the rice field. After touch down, the airplane nosed over which resulted in substantial damage to the engine mounts, wings and empennage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was flying low over a rice field when the wheels caught in the vegetation. The pilot tried to pull up, but the airplane was pulled down into the rice field. After touch down, the airplane nosed over which resulted in substantial damage to the engine mounts, wings and empennage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9599S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9599S-2014-01-14), registration cancelled 2014-01-14, S/N 263, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7ECA (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 263 - Year built: 1965 - Airframe hours: 1308 - Engines: Continental Motors O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: MICHAEL Warren M. - Registered owner: MICHAEL Warren M. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2013, 3 hours before - Departed: WLW, WILLOWS, CA - Destination: WLW, WILLOWS, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 27, 2012; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 218 total, 205 in this make and model, 190 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.78 inHg ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 21, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88194. 885 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 885 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404590&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.