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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.

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NTSB Report

February 13, 2004 · American Champion Acac 8GCBC · N186AC

Sunburg, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 13, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Sunburg, MN
Aircraft
American Champion Acac 8GCBC
Tail Number
N186AC
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI04LA072

The airplane sustained substantial damage when it impacted a ditch and subsequently nosed over while landing on a gravel road. The pilot stated the purpose of the flight was to take aerial photographs of several Minnesota farms. The pilot reported that while in cruise flight he had the "sudden urge to use the bathroom" and he selected a nearby gravel road to land on. The pilot stated that during landing rollout he noticed a sign on the left side of the road. While he attempted to maneuver the airplane to avoid striking the sign, the right wheel "got sucked into the ditch which was full of snow." The airplane subsequently impacted the ditch and nosed over. The airplane was configured with extended range fuel system that increased the airplane's maximum endurance to approximately 7 hours. The accident flight was reported to be approximately 5 1/2 hours in duration.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper in-flight decision to land off-airport. A factor to the accident was the snow covered ditch.

Full Narrative

On February 13, 2004, at 1400 central standard time, an American Champion Aircraft 8GCBC, N186AC, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a ditch and subsequently nosed over while landing on a gravel road near Sunburg, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot was not injured. The flight departed at 0830 from a private airstrip near Castlewood, South Dakota. The pilot stated the purpose of the flight was to take aerial photographs of several Minnesota farms. The pilot reported that while in cruise flight he had the "sudden urge to use the bathroom" and he selected a nearby gravel road to land on. The pilot stated that during landing rollout he noticed a sign on the left side of the road. While he attempted to maneuver the airplane to avoid striking the sign, the right wheel "got sucked into the ditch which was full of snow." The airplane subsequently impacted the ditch and nosed over. The airplane was configured with extended range fuel system that increased the airplane's maximum endurance to approximately 7 hours. The accident flight was reported to be approximately 5 1/2 hours in duration.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAmerican Champion Acac 8GCBC
Tail NumberN186AC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-C1E · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 34 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point30 C / 19 C
Altimeter29.79 inHg
Observation Time19:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data