On November 14, 1982, a Champion 7FC (registration N7682E) operated by Wesley Gueringer & Russell Tim was involved in an aviation accident near Alexandria, LA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's overcontrol of the rudder during landing, which resulted in a runway veer-off and collision with a ditch. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a landing with a right quartering tailwind, the pilot overcontrolled the rudder, causing the aircraft to leave the pavement and strike a ditch, shearing off the landing gear.
What happened
The incident occurred while the aircraft was conducting a landing operation. According to the pilot's statement, the approach was normal until touchdown. At the moment of contact with the runway, there was a right quartering tailwind present.
Following touchdown, the pilot reported that he overcontrolled the rudder input. This loss of directional control caused the aircraft to veer off the side of the runway. The aircraft continued its path off the paved surface and collided with a ditch located adjacent to the taxiway area. The impact was severe enough to cause structural failure of the undercarriage.
The investigation
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the landing gear had sheared off during the collision with the ditch. The sequence of events indicates that the loss of control on the ground led directly to the off-airport collision and subsequent damage to the landing gear assembly.
Probable cause
The pilot's overcontrol of the rudder during landing, which resulted in a runway veer-off and collision with a ditch.