Casualties unknown

1999-12-26: Champion 7ECA (N8395V) — Jennifer Liebeler — Oxnard, CA

Oxnard, CA, US

On December 26, 1999, a Champion 7ECA (registration N8395V) operated by Jennifer Liebeler was involved in an aviation accident near Oxnard, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the variable crosswind condition and subsequent failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

During her first unsupervised solo flight, a pilot veered off the runway while landing in a crosswind, colliding with an airport sign and a berm.

Accident Description

The aircraft veered off the runway during a landing in a crosswind and collided with an airport sign and a berm. The pilot was on her first unsupervised solo flight in a tailwheel airplane, having completed over 7 hours of flight instruction in the accident aircraft.

Flight Details

The pilot had departed from runway 7 and intended to practice touch-and-go landings. The flight instructor, who witnessed the accident, stated that the pilot's approach to landing appeared very normal, and the level off and flare to touchdown appeared normal.

Sequence of Events

Upon touchdown and rollout, the flight instructor noticed the airplane's right wing rise. He observed that the pilot performed corrective inputs to lower the wing. Subsequently, the instructor noted the airplane turn slightly to the right, and he watched the right wing rise again. Immediately after, the airplane veered sharply to the left.

Post-Accident Observations

After exiting the airplane, the pilot noticed a windsock that indicated the wind was 90 degrees to the runway from approximately 160 degrees.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X20266. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.