No fatalities

5 Mar 2015: CHAMPION 7EC NO SERIES — CABLE AIRCRAFT COMPANY INC — Upland, CA

Upland, CA, United States

On 5 Mar 2015, a CHAMPION 7EC NO SERIES operated by CABLE AIRCRAFT COMPANY INC was involved in an aviation accident near Upland, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During tailwheel instruction, a pilot overcorrected on the seventh touch-and-go landing, causing the aircraft to depart the runway and ground loop, resulting in substantial right wing damage.

Incident Overview

A certificated pilot receiving tailwheel instruction was practicing touch-and-go landings. On the seventh landing, the airplane deviated to the right of the center line. The pilot overcorrected, prompting the flight instructor to take control of the airplane. Subsequently, the right wing struck the ground, and the airplane departed the runway to the left. The aircraft then ground looped, causing substantial damage to the right wing.

Pilot Report

The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Damage

Substantial damage occurred to the right wing as a result of the ground loop.

Sequence of Events

  • The pilot was performing touch-and-go landings during tailwheel instruction.
  • On the seventh landing, the airplane drifted right of the runway center line.
  • The pilot overcorrected, leading to the instructor taking control.
  • The right wing struck the ground, and the airplane veered left off the runway.
  • The aircraft ground looped, causing structural damage to the right wing.

Contributing factors

Student/instructed pilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained