Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

June 3, 2003 · American Champion Acac 7GCAA · N77GA

Frederick, MD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 3, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Frederick, MD
Aircraft
American Champion Acac 7GCAA
Tail Number
N77GA
Operator
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC03LA118

The private pilot was executing his first landing in the airplane in an effort to obtain a tailwheel signoff. While approaching the runway, the airplane encountered a crosswind from the left. The certified flight instructor (CFI) instructed the private pilot to correct for the crosswind by adding right rudder inputs, which he did throughout landing to touchdown. After the airplane touched down, the private pilot began to over-control the airplane with the rudder. The CFI assumed the controls and added full power. The airplane climbed back into the air and the CFI tried to realign it with the runway centerline. The airplane descended back to the ground and touched down hard on the left main landing gear, shearing the landing gear assembly from the fuselage. The airplane then departed the left side of the runway, where the left wing dug into the ground. The airplane came to rest upright. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any abnormalities with the airplane flight controls, nor did the pilots report any. The winds reported at the airport, about the time of the accident, were calm.

NTSB Probable Cause

The certified flight instructor's improper flare and his delayed remedial action. The pilot's failure to maintain directional control is a contributing factor.

Full Narrative

On June 3, 2003, at 1235 eastern daylight time, an American Champion 7GCAA, N77GA, was substantially damaged while landing at the Frederick Municipal Airport (FDK), Frederick Maryland. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and private pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the CFI, the private pilot was executing his first landing in the airplane in an effort to obtain a tailwheel signoff. While approaching runway 23, a 2,220-foot-long, 100-foot-wide, asphalt runway, the airplane encountered a crosswind from the left. The CFI instructed the private pilot to correct for the crosswind by adding right rudder inputs, which he did throughout landing to touchdown. After the airplane touched down, the private pilot began to over-control the airplane with the rudder. The CFI assumed the controls and added full power. The airplane climbed back into the air and the CFI tried to realign it with the runway centerline. The airplane descended back to the ground and touched down hard on the left main landing gear, shearing the landing gear assembly from the fuselage. The airplane then departed the left side of the runway, where the left wing dug into the ground. The airplane came to rest upright. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any abnormalities with the airplane flight controls, nor did the pilots report any. The inspector added that the runway was wet at the time of the accident. The winds reported at the airport, about the time of the accident, were calm.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:35 EDT
Nearest AirportFrederick Municipal Airport (0nm N)
Runway23
Runway Length5220 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAmerican Champion Acac 7GCAA
Tail NumberN77GA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2B · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 41 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 57
Altimeter29.98 inHg
Observation Time16:03
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data