On August 4, 1983, a Champion 7GCAA (registration N2542F) was involved in an aviation accident near Broxton, GA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing on a narrow unpaved surface, resulting in the aircraft drifting into a rut and colliding with a fence. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During arrival in light and variable winds, an aircraft landed on a narrow dirt and grass strip. The plane drifted left into a rut and subsequently collided with a nearby fence.
What happened
During the arrival phase of flight, the pilot attempted to land on an agricultural airstrip under conditions characterized by light and variable wind. The runway surface consisted of dirt and grass, measuring approximately 50 feet in width, and was situated immediately adjacent to a fence line.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft drifted toward the left side of the available surface. This lateral movement caused the left main landing gear wheel to enter a rut within the unpaved strip. The disturbance led to a further swerve to the left, resulting in a collision between the aircraft and the adjacent fence.
Findings
The primary factors contributing to this incident were the narrow width of the unpaved runway and the presence of surface irregularities such as ruts. The light and variable wind conditions may have complicated the pilot's ability to maintain precise lateral control during the critical landing phase on an unimproved strip.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing on a narrow unpaved surface, resulting in the aircraft drifting into a rut and colliding with a fence.