On 9 May 2012, a CHAMPION 7GCBC operated by Donald P. Kilday was involved in an aviation accident near Genoa, NE. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot inadvertently banked the airplane when he pulled back on the control stick during the aborted landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During an aborted landing, an airplane bounced twice, then banked right after the pilot pulled back on the control stick, striking trees and terrain. The pilot's experience with yoke controls was noted.
History of Flight
The airplane experienced two bounces during the landing flare. The pilot responded by adding power and pulling back on the control stick to abort the landing. As the pilot pulled back, the airplane banked to the right. The aircraft continued its rightward movement, subsequently contacting trees and the terrain.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that the majority of his flight time was accumulated in airplanes equipped with a control yoke rather than a control stick. He stated that he inadvertently banked the airplane when he pulled back on the control stick during the aborted landing. The pilot also reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Damage
The wings and fuselage of the airplane sustained substantial damage.
Probable cause
The pilot inadvertently banked the airplane when he pulled back on the control stick during the aborted landing.
Contributing factors
Causes
PilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained