Pilot Debrief

Champion 7ECA near Athens, TX — 2020-02-27

Final reportCEN20CA104
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Date
2020-02-27
Location
Athens, TX, USA
Airport
PVT
Aircraft
Champion 7ECA
Registration
N2987Z
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The rear seat pilot and the student pilot's failure to see and avoid trees during initial climb following an aborted landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot in the rear seat reported that the flight was conducted to familiarize the student pilot, who was in the front seat, with the private airstrip and surrounding obstacles. The airplane touched down "a little" long and bounced. The student aborted the landing and initiated a "max performance" climb. The pilot reported that he had briefed the student about the obstacles near the departure end of the runway but that he was unable to see the obstacles from the rear seat during climbout. The airplane impacted two trees, the right wing struck a utility pole, and the airplane then impacted the ground in a nose-down attitude. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount, fuselage, and both wings. 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

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