Summary
On February 02, 2018, a American Champion Aircraft 7GCBC (N519AC) was involved in an incident near Santa Paula, CA. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing due to being distracted by another airplane and her delayed initiation of a go-around, during which the right wing struck a parked helicopter.
The pilot reported that, during landing, she became distracted by another airplane performing a touch-and-go and, upon touchdown, her airplane veered to the right. She added full power to go around, but the airplane continued to the right as it became airborne and the right wing struck a parked helicopter. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the tops of bushes and came to rest inverted in an adjacent riverbed.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the both wings.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA18CA120. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N519AC.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing due to being distracted by another airplane and her delayed initiation of a go-around, during which the right wing struck a parked helicopter.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot reported that, during landing, she became distracted by another airplane performing a touch-and-go and, upon touchdown, her airplane veered to the right. She added full power to go around, but the airplane continued to the right as it became airborne and the right wing struck a parked helicopter. Subsequently, the airplane impacted the tops of bushes and came to rest inverted in an adjacent riverbed.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the both wings.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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# GAA18CA120