N1415E

Substantial
Serious

CHAMPION 7BCMS/N: 7AC-4978

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, May 15, 2010
NTSB Number
ERA10CA271
Location
Kingston, TN
Event ID
20100519X21150
Coordinates
35.823612, -84.538612
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site, which resulted in a nose-over.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
CHAMPION
Serial Number
7AC-4978
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1946
Model / ICAO
7BCM
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
7AC

Registered Owner (Current)

Country
United States

Analysis

According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he had not landed at the destination airport “in several years.” Although the airport had a paved runway, the pilot preferred to land on grass rather than pavement. Since he had landed on the grassy area adjacent to the left side of the runway during his previous visit, he decided to land on it once again. From the air, “it looked good," so he proceeded to land. During the landing, he realized that the grass was not mowed and was "over waist deep." Upon touch down, the main landing gear caught the grass, the airplane nosed over, and the pilot sustained a fractured vertebrae. For grass operations, the airport had been using the mowed area to the right side of the runway.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA10CA271