# NTSB WPR18LA216: Champion 7GCBC, N57477, Big Creek, ID, August 1, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 1, 2018, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Big Creek, ID - Coordinates: 45.131942, -115.321113 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1319&lon=-115.3211&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 September 27, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Boise Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 98031 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR18LA216 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98031/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98031 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA216 ## 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: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1220601), [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: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/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: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1220601), [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: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airline transport pilot reported that during the landing roll on the grass/dirt runway after a cross-country flight, he applied the wheel brakes, and the airplane immediately veered to the left. Despite the application of brakes and rudder control, the pilot was unable to regain directional control as the airplane travelled off the left side of the runway, over a water sprinkler system, and through a fence before coming to rest. The pilot reported that the left brake line had been breached during the accident sequence. The line was replaced, and testing of the left brake revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Postaccident examination of the airport's runway found it to be in good condition with no holes or defects that would prevent a normal landing. Thus, it is likely that the pilot failed to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## Factual narrative On August 1, 2018, about 1215 mountain daylight time, a Champion 7GCBC, N57477, veered off the runway and collided with a fence during the landing roll at the Big Creek Airport (U60), Big Creek, Idaho. The airline transport pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing struts. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulation Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The personal cross-country flight originated from Flying B Ranch, Cascade, Idaho at 1136 with a planned destination of Big Creek, Idaho. The pilot stated that after making a normal landing on runway 19, he applied wheel brakes. The airplane immediately turned to the left, and despite application of brakes and right rudder, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway. The airplane continued over a water sprinkler system, through a wood fence and came to rest in a stand of small trees. The pilot stated that he had never before had to brake as aggressively with this airplane. The pilot believed the brakes were malfunctioning by not applying equal brake pressure to the two brake calipers. He stated he was applying equal force to both brakes when the airplane veered left. The left brake line was breached during the accident sequence. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)inspector from the Boise, Idaho Flight Standards District Office monitored the replacement of the left brake line, then tested the left brake afterwards. He reported the left brake functioned normally. A visual inspection of the left brake puck revealed normal conditions. There were no indications of brake anomalies present. The airplane was loaded onto a trailer at the time of the examination therefore, no other tests of the brakes could be applied. After the airplane was removed from the trailer, the owner, with the authorization of the IIC, checked both brakes and reported normal operation. A video of the accident sequence, as viewed from inside, shows the airplane landing, veering left and coming to a stop in the stand of small trees. A witness stated that he observed the airplane make a normal landing remaining aligned with the runway centerline. He momentarily diverted his eyes and when he looked back, he noted the airplane was established in a gradual left turn, maneuvering at a slow speed in a 3-point attitude. The airplane then collided into an airport perimeter fence and came to rest about 600 ft past the touchdown point. The Champion airplane was manufactured in 1993. The tandem seat, tail dragger design was equipped with provisions for flight controls in the rear seat including rudder pedals. Brake pressure can be applied from either seat. Big Creek Airfield is an uncontrolled, public use airport. The dirt runway, 01/19, is 3,550 ft long and 110 ft wide. When landing to runway 19, there is an uphill angle of .3. Runway 19 is the recommended landingrunway. The runway surface was examined and found to be in good condition with no holes or defects. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N57477](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57477-2022-07-02), registration cancelled 2022-07-02, S/N 517-73, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7GCBC (No Series) - Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (registry code 1220601) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 517-73 - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 1898 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, January 5, 2018, 8 hours before - Departed: N/A, Cascade, ID - Destination: U60, Big Creek, ID - Airport: U60, Big Creek, runway 19, 3,550 × 110 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,688 total, 1,403 in this make and model, 2,452 as pilot in command, 8.3 in the last 90 days, 2.7 in the last 30 days, 2.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: U60, 41 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 20180801008629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180801008629A), Aug 1, 2018: Bellanca 7GCBC, Big Creek, ID, Substantial damage. Pilot departed the flying b ranch private airstrip and flew to the Big Creek airstrip (U60). The pilot?s wife recorded the landing at the Big Creek airstrip… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 12, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98031. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 715 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470343&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 2, .PDF, 73 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470344&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 74 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470345&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement%20(FAA)-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 4, .PDF, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470346&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photos (item 5, .PDF, 3 photos, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470347&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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. --- 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.