On January 4, 2003, a Champion 7FC (registration N5271V) was involved in an aviation accident near Springdale, AR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. A contributing factor was the prevailing crosswind. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot with 1,377 hours lost directional control while landing on Runway 18, causing the aircraft to veer off the runway and suffer left main landing gear separation after striking a ditch.
Accident Details
A pilot with 1,377 hours of flight experience was unable to maintain directional control during a landing on Runway 18. According to the pilot's report, as the tail of the aircraft settled, the aircraft weathervaned into the wind, causing it to depart the runway toward a deep ditch.
Sequence of Events
The pilot managed to fly the aircraft over the deep ditch. However, the aircraft subsequently collided with a shallow ditch adjacent to a service road, resulting in the separation of the left main landing gear. The aircraft came to rest at that location.
Weather Conditions
At the time of the accident, wind was reported from 240 degrees at 10 knots.