Accident Details
Date
Saturday, October 12, 2013
NTSB Number
WPR14CA016
Location
Willows, CA
Event ID
20131016X51130
Coordinates
39.455554, -122.236946
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude while flying low over a field which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and collision with terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registration
N9599S
Make
CHAMPION
Serial Number
263
Year Built
1965
Model / ICAO
7ECA
Registered Owner (Historical)
Name
MICHAEL GREGORY C
Address
PO BOX 188
Status
Deregistered
City
WILLOWS
State / Zip Code
CA 95988-0188
Country
United States
Analysis
The pilot reported that he was flying low over a rice field when the wheels caught in the vegetation. The pilot tried to pull up, but the airplane was pulled down into the rice field. After touch down, the airplane nosed over which resulted in substantial damage to the engine mounts, wings and empennage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR14CA016