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Atlas / NTSB / MIA04CA053

NTSB CAROL · Event

Event MIA04CA053

2004-02-11 Sebring, Florida, United States Airport · KSEB None 1 aircraft Status: Completed

Registry · N246SG

FAA Aircraft Registry record.

Make / Model

AMERICAN CHAMPION AIRCRAFT 7GCAA

Year of manufacture

2003 · 1 years old at event

Engine

LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)

Seats / Engines

2 seats · 1 engine

Last airworthiness date

20030325

ADS-B equipped

Yes — Mode-S A247E0

Registrant of record

LENSIS THOMAS M

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain control during the landing rollout which resulted in the airplane ground looping and incurring damage.

Factual narrative

On February 11, 2004, about 1400 eastern standard time, an American Champion 7GCAA, N246SG, registered to and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, ground looped during landing at the Sebring Regional Airport, Sebring, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot and passenger received no injuries, and the airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated from Avon Park Municipal Airport, Avon Park, Florida, the same day, about 1330. The pilot stated that his approach to land on runway 18 was uneventful. The pilot further stated that as the airplane touched down on the mains and tail wheels simultaneously, the airplane suddenly veered to the left. He said he applied right rudder in an attempt maintain control of the airplane, but it skidded and swung to the left. According to the pilot, there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. The pilot stated that his approach to land on runway 18 was uneventful. The pilot further stated that as the airplane touched down on the mains and tail wheels simultaneously, the airplane suddenly veered to the left. He said he applied right rudder in an attempt maintain control of the airplane, but it skidded and swung to the left. According to the pilot, there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions to the airplane or any of its systems prior to the accident. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2004_MIA04CA053.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.