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GAA17CA374

2017-06-26 · WATERTOWN, South Dakota, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport ATY

Current FAA registration · N3195C

Make / Model
CHAMPION 7BCM
Engine
CONT MOTOR C85 SERIES (85 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19580523
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A36B4A

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll, the right wing suddenly came up. He applied aileron and rudder corrections, however the left wing impacted the ground as the airplane ground looped. The left wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll, the right wing suddenly raised. He applied aileron and rudder corrections; however, the left wing impacted the ground as the airplane ground looped. The left wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded 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-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_2017_GAA17CA374.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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