American Champion 8GCBC N326JH

Summary

On 9 May 2016 at about 18:20 local time, a American Champion 8GCBC registered N326JH, operated by Parker Gcbc LLC., was involved in an accident near Plainview, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 May 2016 at 18:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Plainview, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Hale County (PVW)

Coordinates

34.1675, -101.7186

Aircraft

American Champion 8GCBC

Registration

N326JH

Category

Airplane

Year built

2008

Engines

1

Operator

Parker Gcbc LLC.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Plainview → Clovis

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA16CA227

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during gusty wind conditions. Contributing to the outcome was the pilot's exceedance of the maximum crosswind component during takeoff.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during the takeoff roll in gusty wind conditions, the airplane encountered a strong wind gust. He further reported that shortly after takeoff, the right wing dropped, followed by the left wing; and the left wing impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.  According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that, at the time of the accident, conditions were wind 260 degrees at 29 knots, wind gust 40 knots. The airplane was departing on runway 22. The pilot attempted to takeoff with about an 18 knot right crosswind component. According to the airplane manufacture the maximum demonstrated crosswind component for takeoff and landing is 15 knots. The FAA Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3A (2004) discusses operations in crosswind conditions and states in part: Takeoffs and landings in certain crosswind conditions are inadvisable or even dangerous. If the crosswind is great enough to warrant an extreme drift correction, a hazardous landing condition may result. Therefore, the takeoff and landing capabilities with respect to the reported surface wind conditions and the available landing directions must be considered. It is imperative that pilots determine the maximum crosswind component of each airplane they fly, and avoid operations in wind conditions that exceed the capability of the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.