Loss of Control on Ground: Champion 7GCBC, N5183X; accident occurred May 22, 2020 at Southern Illinois Airport (KMDH), Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Springfield, Illinois

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

https://registry.faa.gov/N5183X

Location: Carbondale, IL
Accident Number: CEN20CA192
Date & Time: 05/22/2020, 1123 CDT
Registration: N5183X
Aircraft: Champion 7GCBC
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

The pilot reported that the accident occurred during a wheel landing in the tailwheel-equipped airplane on a hard surface runway. The pilot stated that upon touchdown the airplane began to swerve side-to-side due to the airplane's "natural instability" on the ground. The pilot attempted to maintain directional control by pulling full aft on the control stick and applying maximum braking; however, his excessive brake input while the airplane was in a level pitch attitude caused the airplane to pitch down and the propeller to impact the runway before the airplane pivoted back onto the tailwheel. The airplane came to rest upright on the runway. The tailwheel crushed the lower portion of the rudder when it landed hard on the runway. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident examination confirmed flight control continuity and found no issues with the wheel brakes or the tailwheel. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 24, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Rear
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine; Glider
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam:06/07/2018 
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 06/07/2018
Flight Time:   462 hours (Total, all aircraft), 84 hours (Total, this make and model), 349 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 30 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 22 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Champion
Registration: N5183X
Model/Series: 7GCBC No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1969
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Aerobatic; Normal
Serial Number: 170
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 06/06/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1650 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 98 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 2035 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C91 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series:O-320-A2B 
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 160 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: MDH, 411 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1132 CDT
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 3200 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR): 
Wind Speed/Gusts: 3 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 70°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.97 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C / 16°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Carbondale, IL (MDH)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Carbondale, IL (MDH)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 1030 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: Southern Illinois Airport (MDH)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 411 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 18R
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3498 ft / 60 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 37.778056, -89.251944 (est)