Loss of Control on Ground: Champion 7ECA, N11852, accident occurred January 19, 2019 at Chino Airport (KCNO), San Bernardino County, California

Damage to the Right Wing and Collapsed Landing Gear.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Riverside, California

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms


https://registry.faa.gov/N11852

Location: Chino, CA
Accident Number: WPR19CA067
Date & Time: 01/19/2019, 0910 PST
Registration: N11852
Aircraft: Champion 7ECA
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 2 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot reported that he was landing with a light quartering tailwind. Upon touchdown, the airplane ground looped, and the landing gear collapsed. Subsequently, the right wing impacted the ground and sustained substantial damage.

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

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's loss of directional control while landing, which resulted in a ground loop.

Findings

Aircraft
Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Tailwind - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-flare/touchdown
Other weather encounter
Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Landing gear collapse
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 78, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: BasicMed
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 01/10/2018
Flight Time:  1581 hours (Total, all aircraft), 120 hours (Total, this make and model)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Champion
Registration: N11852
Model/Series: 7ECA No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1972
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 823-72
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 11/09/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1650 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 3 Hours
Engines: Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1361 Hours
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C91 installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: O-235
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 115 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: CNO, 650 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0924 PST
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  8 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 3 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: Variable
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.3 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C / 8°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Chino, CA (CNO)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Chino, CA (CNO)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 0830 PST
Type of Airspace:

Airport Information

Airport: Chino Airport (CNO)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 650 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 26R
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4858 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Straight-in

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 33.975278, -117.635278 (est)