# NTSB WPR23LA348: Champion 7KCAB, N998B, Benson, AZ, September 19, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 19, 2023, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Benson, AZ - Coordinates: 31.999444, -110.35797 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9994&lon=-110.3580&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2025 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 193101 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA348 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193101/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA348 ## Probable cause The pilots’ failure to maintain control of the aircraft during takeoff. ## 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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7KCAB, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=21101P3), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Champion 7KCAB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=21101P3), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7KCAB, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=21101P3), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7KCAB, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=21101P3), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Champion 7KCAB, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=21101P3), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Champion 7KCAB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=21101P3), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis After conducting an engine run-up and full-deflection flight control check before the flight, the flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction departed the runway on a local instructional flight in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. Just after takeoff the airplane began to drift right and then suddenly rolled sharply to the right. The airplane’s attitude was held briefly before the flight instructor took over the controls. The flight instructor discovered that the aileron controls were unresponsive. He immediately added left rudder and the wings leveled off. The airplane then started a left roll followed by a right roll. The airplane lost altitude and impacted the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the wings. The pilot reported that the inflight event felt like they were in wake turbulence of a mountain rotor or vortex, or a dust devil. Examination of the airplane’s flight controls did not reveal any anomalies. The reason for the loss of directional control after takeoff could not be determined. Official weather reporting stations in the area showed no significant wind conditions at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On September 19, 2023, about 0830 mountain standard time, a Champion 7KCAB, N998B, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Benson, Arizona. The flight instructor and the pilot receiving instruction were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The flight instructor reported that he and the pilot were planning to fly about an hour to practice basic maneuvers and then return to the traffic pattern at the Benson Municipal Airport (E95), Benson, Arizona. He reported that the pilot receiving instruction conducted an engine run-up and full-deflection flight control check before the flight. Shortly after departing the runway, while about 50 ft above ground level, the tailwheel equipped airplane began to drift right then suddenly rolled sharply to the right. The airplane’s attitude was held briefly before the flight instructor took over the controls. The flight instructor discovered that the aileron controls were unresponsive. He immediately added left rudder and the wings leveled off. The airplane then started a left roll followed by a right roll. Controlling the airplane’s pitch attitude was normal, but the ailerons did not have any effect on the roll attitude of the airplane. The flight instructor continued to control the airplane with elevator and rudder inputs. The airplane lost altitude and impacted the ground with the wings level. The airplane bounced along the ground and came to rest on the runway. The pilot reported that the inflight event felt like they were in wake turbulence of a mountain rotor or vortex, or a dust devil. A postaccident examination of the airplane’s flight control system revealed aileron control cable continuity and that the ailerons moved freely from the forward and aft cockpit positions. Both aileron bellcranks, pushrods, turnbuckles, pulleys, and cables were examined, and no anomalies were noted. The left aileron bellcrank cover plate was removed. The bellcrank and control stick linkage was intact and operated normally. The right aileron bellcrank and control stick linkage were intact and operated with no restrictions. During the left banking movement of the control stick, the right aileron cable contacted a fuselage longitudinal wood stringer near the aileron bellcrank. The ELT antenna cable was twisted and routed between the right aileron bellcrank and the bellcrank cover plate. The cable was worn on the inboard side and the internal metal cable core was visible. However, there were no restrictions of movement of the bellcrank during the examination. Weather data from the Tucson International Airport (TUS), Automated Surface Observing System, which was located about 50 miles West-Northwest of the accident location, provided wind conditions between 0800 and 0900 that varied between 4 and 6 knots. Longline automated observations from Bisbee Douglas International Airport (DUG), Bisbee, Arizona, which was located about 50 milesSoutheast of the accident location, provided wind conditions between 0556 and 0956 that varied between 3 and 5 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N998B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N998B), registered now, S/N 7KCAB-47, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7KCAB - Registry model: [Champion 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7kcab) (registry code 21101P3) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7KCAB-47 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 2280 - Engines: Lycoming IO-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Plane Folks LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2023 - Departed: E95, Benson, AZ - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: KE95, Benson Municipal, runway 28, 4,002 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 64; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 18, 2022; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 2,575 total, 0 in this make and model, 2,455 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 56; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 4, 2021; seat: rear; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 4,984 total, 702 in this make and model, 4,969 as pilot in command, 92 in the last 90 days, 49 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Turbulence: Extreme - Observed at: KDMA, 29 nm away - METAR: KDMA 191255Z 14009KT 10SM CLR 20/05 A2996 RMK AO2A SLP144 T01980054 $ ## 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 20230919016529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230919016529A), Sep 19, 2023: Champion 7KCAB, Benson, AZ, Substantial damage. During departure just after lift off ac rolled to the right and was unable to recover and struck the ground next to the runway. 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.