NTSB ERA21LA150 — 2020-11-08 · Montgomery, New York, United States

Current FAA registration · N139PC

Make / Model: AMERICAN CHAMPION AIRCRAFT 7GCBC
Year of manufacture: 2002 · 18 years old at event
Engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)
Seats / Engines: 2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date: 20021010
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S A09DE8

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N139PC AMERICAN CHAMPION AIRCRAFT 7GCBC None

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing, resulting in a ground loop and structural damage to the airframe.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he was landing with the tailwheel-equipped airplane in calm wind. Upon touchdown, the airplane veered to the right despite attempts to keep it tracking straight with left brake inputs. The airplane ground looped to the right and came to rest in the grass, adjacent to the runway. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the wreckage after the accident reported that there was substantial damage to the fuselage near the main landing gear strut attachment points and near the tailwheel. Examination of the wheel brakes, tires, and flight controls showed no indication of a preexisting mechanical malfunction or failure, nor did the pilot report one. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

— Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained
— Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2020_ERA21LA150.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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