Pilot Debrief

AMERICAN CHAMPION AIRCRAFT 7GCBC near Santa Paula, CA — 2018-02-02

Final reportGAA18CA120
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Date
2018-02-02
Location
Santa Paula, CA, USA
Airport
SZP
Aircraft
AMERICAN CHAMPION AIRCRAFT 7GCBC
Registration
N519AC
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

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.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during landing, she became distracted by another airplane performing a touch-and-go, and upon touchdown, the 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 both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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

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