MIA06LA068

Factual narrative

On March 19, 2006, approximately 1300 eastern standard time, a Champion 7EC, N4387, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it ground looped during landing at the Orlando North Airpark, Zellwood, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and passenger on board the airplane were not injured. The flight originated from Gilbert Airport, Winter Haven, Florida, approximately 1215. According to the pilot's accident report, he made a "normal approach" and landed on runway 09. "On rollout, the aircraft began to swerve, first to the left, then to the right, then back to the left and finally swerved sharply to the right, leaving the runway and proceeding into a water filled drainage ditch that ran parallel to the runway." The airplane was later moved to a hangar. The pilot said that post-accident examination revealed "the spring connecting the rudder to the tail wheel horn had detached." The pilot made a "normal approach" and landed on runway 09. He said that on rollout, "the aircraft began to swerve, first to the left, then to the right, then back to the left and finally swerved sharply to the right, leaving the runway and proceeding into a water filled drainage ditch that ran parallel to the runway." The airplane was later moved to a hangar. The pilot reported that post-accident examination revealed "the spring connecting the rudder to the tail wheel horn had detached." Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12