
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Little Rock, Arkansas
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Accident Number: CEN20CA391
Date & Time: September 11, 2020, 14:00 Local
Registration: N81BH
Aircraft: Champion 8GCBC
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot reported that, during the turn from base to final, the left wing struck a wire and the airplane rotated and hit the ground. The airplane's wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. He also stated that he should have maintained clearance from the obstructions.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a wire during final approach to landing.
Findings
Personnel issues Incorrect action performance - Pilot
Aircraft Altitude - Not attained/maintained
Environmental issues Wire - Effect on operation
Factual Information
History of Flight
Approach-VFR pattern final Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) (Defining event)
Uncontrolled descent Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 59,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: December 11, 2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: August 2, 2020
Flight Time: 2271.2 hours (Total, all aircraft), 235 hours (Total, this make and model), 2184.6 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 26.7 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 15.1 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Champion
Registration: N81BH
Model/Series: 8GCBC No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2011
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 542-2011
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: December 1, 2019 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2150 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 425 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: O-360-G1G
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 180 Horsepower
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KFYV,1251 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 29 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 13:53 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 313°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 1700 ft AGL
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.15 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C / 19°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Ozark, AR (51AR)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Ozark, AR
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 13:45 Local
Type of Airspace: Class G
Airport Information
Airport: Byrd's Backcountry Airstrip 51AR
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 800 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 20
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 900 ft / 50 ft VFR
Approach/Landing: Traffic pattern
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 35.677501,-93.732223(est)
Only minor injuries due to proper harness and quality airframe construction. Try that in an older Champ with lap belt or J-3 Cub with cowl tank.
ReplyDeleteHow can you hit power wire turning base to final? Perhaps a little more height would be in order...
ReplyDeleteref NTSB report of "Byrd's Backcountry Airstrip 51AR, Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf, Airport Elevation: 800 ft msl, Runway Surface Condition: Dry, Runway Used: 20"
ReplyDeleteAIRNAV lists a single "Runway 7/25 for 51AR Byrd's Backcountry Airstrip
Dimensions: 2500 x 30 ft., Surface: turf"
Scout, not a Decathlon. Decathlon does not have flaps.
ReplyDelete