Pilot Debrief

CHAMPION 7ECA near Taylorsville, NC — 2014-04-26

Final reportERA14LA212
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Date
2014-04-26
Location
Taylorsville, NC, USA
Airport
NC2
Aircraft
CHAMPION 7ECA
Registration
N9122E
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper approach, which resulted in a long landing right of the runway centerline and the airplane’s subsequent collision with a riding mower that would have been difficult for the pilot to see due to its color and the nose-high attitude of the tailwheel-equipped airplane during landing.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot was conducting a personal cross-country flight. The pilot reported that, during landing at his destination airport, the tailwheel-equipped airplane struck a riding mower from behind. The airplane nosed over on top of the operator and riding mower, and the operator sustained fatal injuries. Examination of the accident site revealed that the mower was off the right side of the 2,400-ft-long by 60-ft-wide turf runway, was traveling parallel to it while facing away from the airplane, and was about 180 ft from the end of the runway when it was struck. This evidence indicates that the pilot likely landed the airplane right of the runway centerline and not within the first one-third of the runway as recommended by the Federal Aviation Administration. If the pilot had landed within the first one-third of the runway, according to the airplane manufacturer's published landing data, he should have been able stop the airplane before reaching the mower. Examination of the accident site and the riding mower revealed that, due to the mower's dark green color, it would have been difficult for the pilot to see it from the air because it would have blended into the green turf areas surrounding the runway. Additionally, given that the airplane was tailwheel-equipped, the engine cowling would have restricted the pilot's view of the area directly ahead of the airplane as it approached the runway in a nose-high attitude, which would have made the riding mower difficult, if not impossible, for the pilot to see.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have initiated a go-around instead of landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

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