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GAA16CA057

2015-11-16 · Eufaula, Alabama, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport EUF

Current FAA registration · N9649S

Make / Model
CHAMPION 7ECA
Engine
LYCOMING 0-235 SERIES (115 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19660307
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S AD6EA6

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The student pilot's decision to land with a quartering tailwind, resulting in a loss off directional control, excessive brake application, and a nose over.

Factual narrative

According to the student pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he landed on an asphalt runway at about 80 miles per hour. He reported that during the landing on Runway 18, the wind was 070 degrees true and a velocity of 5 knots. He reported that during the landing roll he "wasn't able" to apply the appropriate crosswind correction and subsequently applied excessive braking. The airplane nosed over and exited the right side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall, left wing and rudder. The student pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures associated with the airplane prior to, or during the flight that would have prevented normal operation. According to the student pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he landed on an asphalt runway at about 80 miles per hour. He reported that during the landing on runway 18, the wind was 070 degrees true and a velocity of 5 knots. He reported that during the landing roll he "wasn't able" to apply the appropriate crosswind correction and subsequently applied excessive braking. The airplane nosed over and exited the right side of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall, left wing and rudder. The student pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures associated with the airplane prior to, or during the flight that would have prevented normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Student/instructed pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Tailwind-Effect on equipment - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2015_GAA16CA057.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.