On June 8, 2001, a Champion 7EC (registration N7415B) was involved in an aviation accident near Mattawa, WA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the landing roll. Contributing factors were the gusty crosswind condition and the high vegetation (sage brush) which the aircraft rolled into before nosing over. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During landing roll in a left quartering headwind, a sudden gust from the left caused a conventionally geared aircraft to drift right. The pilot attempted a go-around, but the aircraft rolled further off the runway, struck sage brush, and nosed over.
Incident Details
During the landing roll into a left quartering headwind, the pilot encountered a sudden gust from the left. The conventionally geared aircraft drifted right off the runway. The pilot added power in an attempt to execute a go-around. However, the aircraft continued to roll further off the right side of the runway, encountering sage brush before nosing over.
The wind conditions at the airport were reported by the pilot. No further details regarding the aircraft type, registration, operator, location, or occupants were provided in the source.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft was on landing roll with a left quartering headwind.
A sudden gust from the left caused the aircraft to drift right off the runway.
The pilot responded by adding power to initiate a go-around.
Despite the power addition, the aircraft continued moving right, off the runway surface.
The aircraft then encountered sage brush and nosed over.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported the wind conditions at the airport. The source did not specify any other factors or contributing elements beyond the gust and the subsequent loss of directional control.