# NTSB WPR23LA030: American Champion 8GCBC, N615DD, Payson, AZ, November 11, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 11, 2022, 15:00, time zone not recorded - Place: Payson, AZ · Remote area - Coordinates: 34.205025, -111.69414 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2050&lon=-111.6941&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 106289 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA030 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106289/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106289 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA030 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper decision to takeoff from an unimproved airstrip with insufficient takeoff distance which, resulted in a runway overrun and collision with vegetation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [American Champion 8GCBC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2121004), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [American Champion 8GCBC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=2121004), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [American Champion 8GCBC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2121004), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, he was attempting to takeoff from an approximate 800 ft long unimproved dirt, curved and slightly upslope backcountry airstrip that had about 200 ft that was unusable. The pilot configured the airplane for a short field takeoff toward the downhill. The pilot reported that when the airplane reached the end of the airstrip, the airplane did not have sufficient speed to fly and lifted off the ground slightly, then settled back to the ground. The airplane traveled off the end of the airstrip and collided with vegetation. The right wing and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N615DD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N615DD), registered now, S/N 615-2021, built 2021 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AMERICAN CHAMPION AIRCRAFT 8GCBC - Registry model: [American Champion 8GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-champion-8gcbc) (registry code 2121004) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-390-A1B6](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-390-a1b6) (registry code 42407, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 615-2021 - Year built: 2021 - Airframe hours: 148 - Engines: Lycoming IO-390-A1B6 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Vectored Solutions Inc - Registered owner: Vectored Solutions Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 13, 2022, 20 hours before - Departed: KSDL, Scottsdale, AZ - Destination: RCM, Payson, AZ - Airport: N/A - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,200 total, 100 in this make and model, 2,900 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KSDL, 37 nm away - METAR: METAR KSDL 112153Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 19/M06 A3002 RMK AO2 SLP153 T01941056= ## 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 20221111019989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20221111019989A), Nov 11, 2022: American Champion Aircraft 8GCBC, Payson, AZ, Substantial damage. Pilot landed aircraft on a bock country strip approximately 800 feet long once on the ground only 600 feet of useable takeoff space attempted to perform a… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 30, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106289. 5.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14771991&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14744737&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Docket%20photo%20WPR23LA030-Rel.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.