# NTSB WPR14CA383: American Champion 7GCBC, N817DH, Rimrock, WA, September 20, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 20, 2014, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Rimrock, WA
- Coordinates: 46.6375, -121.123886 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6375&lon=-121.1239&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 13, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90123
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA383
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90123/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90123
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA383

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff from a rough runway surface which resulted in an off-airport forced landing just beyond the runway.

## 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: [American Champion 7GCBC, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=21101PL), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [American Champion 7GCBC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=21101PL), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [American Champion 7GCBC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=21101PL), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [American Champion 7GCBC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=21101PL), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [American Champion 7GCBC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=21101PL), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [American Champion 7GCBC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=21101PL), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [American Champion 7GCBC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=21101PL), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [American Champion 7GCBC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=21101PL), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [American Champion 7GCBC, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=21101PL), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot and pilot-rated passenger of the tailwheel equipped airplane planned to stop at three back country strips before returning to their base airport. The pilot opted not to land at either of the first two planned stops, because she was uncomfortable with the winds at the time of her arrival at each. The third intended destination airport was situated at the shore of a lake. The turf runway was oriented approximately perpendicular to the shoreline, terminated at the shoreline, and was sloped uphill away from the lake. Tall trees and rapidly rising terrain at the other end of the runway resulted in the runway being effectively one way in and one way out, over the lake. The winds were light and variable, and the pilot landed uneventfully at that airstrip. She taxied to the far end, turned around, and began the takeoff roll downhill, towards the lake. She brought the tail up, continued the takeoff roll, and the airplane became prematurely airborne after "rolling over one of the bumpy spots" on the runway. The pilot reported that she tried to fly in ground effect to build airspeed, but lowered the nose too far. The propeller struck the runway, which degraded the airplane performance, and prevented the airplane from successfully climbing. The pilot determined that at that point, she was too far down the runway to safely abort the takeoff on the remaining runway, so she sought a spot straight ahead on the exposed lakebed on which to land the airplane. The pilot steered the airplane towards what appeared to be a dry area that was clear of debris. The airplane struck the dry upslope on the main wheels, and the left main gear impacted a tree stump. The airplane then nosed over to the inverted position. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot and pilot-rated passenger of the tailwheel equipped airplane planned to stop at three back country strips before returning to their base airport. The pilot opted not to land at either of the first two planned stops, because she was uncomfortable with the winds at the time of her arrival at each. The third intended destination airport was situated at the shore of a lake. The turf runway was oriented approximately perpendicular to the shoreline, terminated at the shoreline, and was sloped uphill away from the lake. Tall trees and rapidly rising terrain at the other end of the runway resulted in the runway being effectively one way in and one way out, over the lake. The winds were light and variable, and the pilot landed uneventfully at that airstrip. She taxied to the far end, turned around, and began the takeoff roll downhill, towards the lake. She brought the tail up, continued the takeoff roll, and the airplane became prematurely airborne after "rolling over one of the bumpy spots" on the runway. The pilot reported that she tried to fly in ground effect to build airspeed, but lowered the nose too far. The propeller struck the runway, which degraded the airplane performance, and prevented the airplane from successfully climbing. The pilot determined that at that point, she was too far down the runway to safely abort the takeoff on the remaining runway, so she sought a spot straight ahead on the exposed lakebed on which to land the airplane. The pilot steered the airplane towards what appeared to be a dry area that was clear of debris. The airplane struck the dry upslope on the main wheels, and the left main gear impacted a tree stump. The airplane then nosed over to the inverted position. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N817DH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N817DH), registered now, S/N 1341-2003, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AMERICAN CHAMPION AIRCRAFT 7GCBC (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [American Champion 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-champion-7gcbc) (registry code 21101PL) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1341-2003
- Year built: 2003
- Airframe hours: 365
- Engines: Lycoming O-360 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rainier Flight Services
- Registered owner: Aileron Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 2014, 75 hours before
- Departed: 4S6, Rimrock, WA
- Destination: KRNT, Renton, WA
- Airport: 4S6, Tieton State, runway 20, 2,509 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 14, 2014; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,598 total, 55 in this make and model, 3,522 as pilot in command, 204 in the last 90 days, 58 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: KYKM, 24 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 20140920016329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140920016329A), Sep 20, 2014: American Champion Aircraft 7GCBC, Tieton, WA, Substantial damage. Pilot was taking off runway 20 at Tieton State and hit the propeller on the sod runway about 2/3 from the take off end and then became airborne unable to…

## Docket (10 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 3, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90123. 4.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418392&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 26 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418393&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Witness Statements (item 3, .PDF, 631 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418394&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF
- METARs (item 4, .PDF, 188 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418395&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=METARs-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 – Propeller Slash Marks (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 188 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418396&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Propeller%20Slash%20Marks%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 – View Along Travel Direction (Photo Courtesy of Yakima County Sheriff) (item 6, .PDF, 288 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418397&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20View%20Along%20Travel%20Direction%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Yakima%20County%20Sheriff)-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 – Left Side (Photo Courtesy of Yakima County Sheriff) (item 7, .PDF, 351 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418398&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20%E2%80%93%20Left%20Side%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Yakima%20County%20Sheriff)%0D%0A-Master.PDF
- Photo 4 – Front Quartering View (Photo Courtesy of Yakima County Sheriff) (item 8, .PDF, 302 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418399&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20%E2%80%93%20Front%20Quartering%20View%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Yakima%20County%20Sheriff)-Master.PDF
- Photo 5 – Damage Close Up (Photo Courtesy of Yakima County Sheriff) (item 9, .PDF, 331 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418400&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%20%E2%80%93%20Damage%20Close%20Up%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Yakima%20County%20Sheriff)-Master.PDF
- Photo 6 – Right Side (Photo Courtesy of Yakima County Sheriff) (item 10, .PDF, 321 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418401&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206%20%E2%80%93%20Right%20Side%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Yakima%20County%20Sheriff)-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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