No fatalities

25 Jul 2020: Champion 7GCBC No Series — Angola, IN

Angola, IN, United States

On 25 Jul 2020, a Champion 7GCBC No Series was involved in an aviation accident near Angola, IN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a low-level pass, resulting in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack that caused an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain. 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 a low-level pass parallel to the runway, the pilot became distracted, cross-controlled the airplane, and experienced an aerodynamic stall, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage.

Introduction

A pilot reported an accident during a low-level pass. The airplane was not equipped with a stall warning system, nor was it required to be. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine were reported.

Sequence of Events

While performing a low-level pass parallel to the runway, the pilot allowed himself to become distracted. The airplane began drifting to the right. The pilot found himself "fighting the controls not realizing I cross controlled the control surfaces." He felt a sink develop and applied full power with right rudder, but the right wing "unloaded." The pilot attempted to recover, but the airplane was too low and too slow, and an aerodynamic stall occurred. The airplane subsequently impacted a grass field.

Aircraft Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and the fuselage.

Pilot Report

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

Contributing factors

PilotCapability exceeded