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GAA20CA011

2019-10-12 · Henrys Lake, Idaho, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Current FAA registration · N632K

Make / Model
AMERICAN CHAMPION AIRCRAFT 8GCBC
Year of manufacture
2001 · 18 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
3 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20010904
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A8460B

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's decision to land on unsuitable terrain, which resulted in a nose-over.

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel and tundra tire-equipped airplane reported that, during landing on an off-airport field, he conducted a "3-point attitude landing and performed a soft field landing." The landing surface was softer than originally expected, so he attempted to recover by adding power. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that, during landing on an off-airport field, he conducted a three-point attitude, soft-field landing. The landing surface was softer than originally expected, so he attempted to recover by adding power. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
  • C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-Soft surface-Effect on operation - C
  • C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface-Soft surface-Decision related to condition - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2019_GAA20CA011.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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