# NTSB WPR20CA154: Champion 7GCBC, N771CT, Spotted Horse, WY, May 25, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 25, 2020, 11:40 local (17:40 UTC) - Place: Spotted Horse, WY - Coordinates: 44.740001, -105.949996 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7400&lon=-105.9500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 101329 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20CA154 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101329/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101329 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA154 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control during an aborted takeoff with a tailwind, which resulted in a noseover. ## 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) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [American Champion 7GCBC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=21101PL), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [American Champion 7GCBC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=21101PL), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [American Champion 7GCBC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=21101PL), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the takeoff roll, on a moderately downhill sloped field, with what he believed was a calm wind, he noticed that the airspeed was not increasing as anticipated. The pilot chose to abort the takeoff and reduced power and applied full braking application. After the airplane slowed considerably, and losing elevator authority, the tail of the airplane lifted. The pilot was unable to release the brakes in time to avoid the airplane from nosing over and coming to rest inverted. After exiting the airplane, the pilot reported that he noticed that the takeoff was with a tailwind of about 10 to 15 knots and shifting directions. Both wings and the rudder were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the takeoff roll, on a moderately downhill sloped field, with what he believed was a calm wind, he noticed that the airspeed was not increasing as anticipated. The pilot chose to abort the takeoff and reduced power and applied full braking application. After the airplane slowed considerably, and losing elevator authority, the tail of the airplane lifted. The pilot was unable to release the brakes in time to avoid the airplane from nosing over and coming to rest inverted. After exiting the airplane, the pilot reported that he noticed that the takeoff was with a tailwind of about 10 to 15 knots and shifting directions. Both wings and the rudder were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N771CT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N771CT), registered now, S/N 1407-2006, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7GCBC (No Series) - Registry model: [American Champion 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-champion-7gcbc) (registry code 21101PL) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Superior O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/superior-o-360-series) (registry code 59250, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1407-2006 - Year built: 2006 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A3A2 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 10, 2019, 718 hours before - Departed: Spotted Horse, WY - Destination: BYG, Buffalo, WY - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 23, 2020; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 369 total, 81 in this make and model, 281 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F - Observed at: KGCC, 30 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 20200525007149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200525007149A), May 25, 2020: American Champion Aircraft 7GCBC, Spotted Horse, WY, Substantial damage. Pilot was taking off from family owned farm field. Pilot aborted takeoff. When aircraft slowed and lost elevator authority, tail started coming up and pilot… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 20, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101329. 14.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 13.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486243&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo Array-Onsite (item 2, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486244&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Onsite-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.