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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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February 23, 2010 · American Champion 7KCAB · N5065X

Greeley, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 23, 2010
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Greeley, CO
Aircraft
American Champion 7KCAB
Tail Number
N5065X
Operator
Charles P Riesselmann
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN10LA198

The pilot was practicing steep turns around a point at 7,500 feet mean sea level. During one of the turns, he heard an unusual sound and saw something falling away from the aircraft. He then noticed a piece of fabric “flapping” in the slipstream at the trailing edge of the right aileron. The airplane developed a slight sink rate, but the engine and flight controls operated normally. He returned to the airport and made an uneventful landing. Postflight inspection disclosed that nearly 80 percent of the fabric on the top of the right wing had separated, and several ribs were damaged when the rivets separated with the fabric. Several other ribs were distorted from slipstream. The airplane had been used for spotting fish in Alaska. According to the maintenance records, the airframe was last recovered on July 21, 2003, at a total time of 3,894.0 hours. Fabric punch tests since the recovering had been satisfactory.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft structures-Wing structure-Flight surfaces (wing)-Failure - C

Full Narrative

On February 23, 2010, approximately 1500 mountain standard time, a Champion 7KCAB, N5065X,registered to and operated by the private pilot, was substantially damaged when the fabric on the upper right wing tore off while the airplane was being maneuvered near Greeley, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The local flight originated at Greeley approximately 1430. According to the pilot’s accident report, he was practicing steep turns around a point at 7,500 feet msl. During one of the turns, he heard an unusual sound and saw something falling away from the aircraft. He then noticed a piece of fabric “flapping” in the slipstream at the trailing edge of the right aileron. The airplane developed a slight sink rate, but the engine and flight controls operated normally. He returned to Greeley and made an uneventful landing. Post-flight inspection disclosed that nearly 80 percent of the fabric on the top of the right wing had separated, and several ribs were damaged when the rivets separated with the fabric. Several other ribs were distorted from slipstream. The airplane had been used for fish spotting in Alaska. According to the maintenance records, the airframe was last recovered on July 21, 2003 at a total time of 3,894.0 hours. Fabric punch tests since that recovering had been satisfactory. The Denver NTSB was notified of this accident on April 10, 2010. The pilot offered no explanation as to why he didn't report the accident promptly in accordance with Title 49 CFR 830.5(a).

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 MST
Nearest AirportGreeley-Weld County (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAmerican Champion 7KCAB
Tail NumberN5065X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCharles P Riesselmann
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C / 16 C
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time22:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data