# NTSB WPR15CA041: Champion 7ECA, N2563F, San Diego, CA, November 14, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 14, 2014, 11:38 local (19:38 UTC)
- Place: San Diego, CA
- Coordinates: 32.815834, -117.139442 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8158&lon=-117.1394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90387
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR15CA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90387/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90387
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15CA041

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff 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 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)
- [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 7ECA, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=21101NN), [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.

- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7ECA, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: 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)
- [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Champion 7ECA, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=21101NN), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll in a tailwheel equipped airplane, he inadvertently actuated the left brake when his left foot became entangled within the rudder pedal and control cable. The pilot stated that he then lost control of the airplane and subsequently groundlooped, which resulted in structural damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll in a tailwheel equipped airplane, he inadvertently actuated the left brake when his left foot became entangled within the rudder pedal and control cable. The pilot stated that he then lost control of the airplane and subsequently groundlooped, which resulted in structural damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2563F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2563F), registered now, S/N 137, built 1966 (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: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 137
- Year built: 1966
- Engines: Lycoming O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: MYF, San Diego, CA
- Destination: Eloy, AZ
- Airport: MYF, Montgomery Field, runway 28R, 4,577 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: rear; flight hours: 6,800 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,600 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: KMYF

## 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 20141114022659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141114022659A), Nov 14, 2014: Champion 7ECA, Kearny Mesa, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft had momentarily become airborne when the takeoff was aborted and the aircraft departed the runway to the left resulting in a ground loop and…

## Other investigations on N2563F (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 CHI83LA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA245), Jun 8, 1983: Aeronca 7ECA (N2563F), Wentworth, WI, substantial damage

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 7, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90387. 54 KB in all.

- Record of Conversation (Pilot) (item 1, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420706&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-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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