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NTSB Report

February 27, 2020 · Champion 7ECA No Series · N2987Z

Athens, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 27, 2020
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Athens, TX
Aircraft
Champion 7ECA No Series (1978)
Tail Number
N2987Z
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN20CA104

The pilot in the rear seat reported that the flight was conducted to familiarize the student pilot, who was in the front seat, with the private airstrip and surrounding obstacles. The airplane touched down "a little" long and bounced. The student aborted the landing and initiated a "max performance" climb. The pilot reported that he had briefed the student about the obstacles near the departure end of the runway but that he was unable to see the obstacles from the rear seat during climbout. The airplane impacted two trees, the right wing struck a utility pole, and the airplane then impacted the ground in a nose-down attitude. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount, fuselage, and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The rear seat pilot and the student pilot's failure to see and avoid trees during initial climb following an aborted landing.

Full Narrative

The pilot-in-command (PIC) in the back seat reported that the flight was conducted to familiarize the student pilot, in the front seat, with the private airstrip and surrounding obstacles. The airplane touched down "a little" long and bounced. The student pilot aborted the landing and initiated a "max performance" climb. The PIC reported that he had briefed the student pilot as to the obstacles around the departure end of the runway, but the PIC was unable to actually see the obstacles from the rear seat during climb out. The airplane's left wing collided with a tree that was left of the runway centerline. The right wing also struck a tree before the airplane impacted the ground in a nose down attitude. The airplane sustained damage to the engine mount, fuselage and both wings. The PIC reported there were no anomalies with the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 CST
Nearest AirportPrivate Airstrip (15nm N)
Runway02
Runway Length1150 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftChampion 7ECA No Series
Tail NumberN2987Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 45 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 21 · First Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 23 C
Altimeter30.26 inHg
Observation Time22:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data