No fatalities

4 Oct 2018: Champion 7FC No Series — Myakka City, FL

Myakka City, FL, United States

On 4 Oct 2018, a Champion 7FC No Series was involved in an aviation accident near Myakka City, FL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot did not leave enough room to gain sufficient altitude for obstacle clearance during takeoff. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 11 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A tailwheel-equipped airplane impacted a concrete column while taking off from an off-airport site after turning to avoid trees. The right wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. No mechanical anomalies were reported.

Accident Details

A pilot reported that he had been working at an off-airport site installing concrete columns and was departing from the site in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. During the takeoff from the field, he turned to avoid trees at the end of the field and subsequently impacted a concrete column.

Damage and Examination

Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

Pilot Statement

The pilot stated that he had experience taking off on grass, but he had not left enough room to gain sufficient altitude for obstacle clearance, leading to the collision.

Probable cause

The pilot did not leave enough room to gain sufficient altitude for obstacle clearance during takeoff.

Contributing factors

PilotEffect on operation