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ERA10CA269

2010-05-15 · Glens Falls, New York, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport GFL

Current FAA registration · N720AC

Make / Model
AMERICAN CHAMPION AIRCRAFT 7GCBC
Year of manufacture
1999 · 11 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19990824
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A9A38F

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a takeoff attempt.

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane stated that the purpose of the flight was to conduct touch-and-go landings on a north-oriented grass runway. After the first landing, he "misjudged the remaining takeoff distance" and was "a bit slow while trying to get airborne." As the airplane lifted off, it encountered a "gust" of wind from the left, then drifted to the right, contacted the runway, and nosed over. The airplane came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing spar and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures. The automated weather report at the accident airport reported winds from 330 degrees at 9 knots. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane stated that the purpose of the flight was to conduct touch and go landings on a north-oriented grass runway. After the first landing, he "misjudged the remaining takeoff distance" and was "a bit slow while trying to get airborne." As the airplane lifted off, it encountered a "gust" of wind from the left, then drifted to the right, contacted the runway, and nosed over. The airplane came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing spar and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures. The automated weather report at the accident airport reported winds from 330 degrees at 9 knots. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2010_ERA10CA269.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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