NORTH POLE, AK, USA
N315C
CHAMPION 7GCBC
THE PLANE'S AILERONS WERE RIGGED BACKWARDS DURING THE COMPLETE REBUILD OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE OWNER/PILOT. THE OWNER/PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE INITIAL TEST FLIGHT FOLLOWING THE REBUILD.
On August 3, 1994, at 2135 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped champion 7GCBC airplane, N315C, crashed shortly after takeoff from Nelson Strip in North Pole, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot-in-command, the sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 for the purpose of checking the airplane out after a complete rebuild. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and there was no flight plan in effect. The pilot reported to an FAA investigator that shortly after takeoff he applied right aileron to correct a slight drift to the left but that increased inputs of right aileron exacerbated the left banking tendency of the airplane. A post accident inspection of the airplane revealed that the ailerons were rigged backwards. This was pilot's first flight in the airplane following a complete rebuilt of the airplane by him.
THE IMPROPER RIGGING OF THE AIRPLANE'S AILERONS BY THE PILOT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
