Pilot Debrief

CHAMPION 7EC near Highgate, VT — 2026-06-25

Final reportERA26LA260
Sign in to save
Date
2026-06-25
Location
Highgate, VT, USA
Airport
FSO
Aircraft
CHAMPION 7EC
Registration
N4346C
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s excessive braking during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose over.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that upon touching down on the turf runway, the tailwheel-equipped airplane began a “moderate excursion to the right” and that he applied left rudder and brakes to correct. The airplane then veered left and nosed over resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and the lift struts of both wings. The pilot stated that the turf along the airplane’s landing roll path was “torn up,” and was likely the result of excessive braking. The pilot also reported that while he had extensive experience flying tailwheel equipped airplanes they had all been fitted with modern hydraulically actuated braking systems, while the accident airplane was equipped with the original mechanical/drum brakes. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

Related mishaps