SOUTH ST. PAUL, MN, USA
N11023
Champion 7ECA
The pilot was executing touch and go landings for flight proficiency. The pilot was using runway 16 and a right crosswind existed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that when the airplane was approximately 2,500 feet down the runway the tail cocked to the right, and that he was unable to straighten out the airplane before it went off the runway. The pilot initiated a go around, however the airplane struck a snow drift along the runway and flipped over. This was the pilot's first flight in the past 90 days, and he did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.
On March 26, 1997, at 1845 central standard time (cst), a Champion 7ECA, N11023, was substantially damaged during the execution of touch and go landings, at the South St. Paul Airport, South St. Paul, Minnesota. During the go around from the second landing, the airplane hit a snowbank, and flipped over. The commercial rated pilot was uninjured in the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight. The flight originated from the South St. Paul Airport at 1830 cst. The pilot reported on the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, and in a written statement that he was executing touch and go landings for flight proficiency. The pilot was using runway 16 at the time of the accident. The pilot reported the winds at 230 degrees at 10 to 12 knots. The local automated weather observation station reported the winds at 1835 cst at 270 degrees at five knots. The pilot reported that when the airplane was approximately 2,500 feet down the runway the tail cocked to the right, and that he was unable to straighten out the airplane before it went off the runway. The pilot reported that he initiated a go around, however the airplane struck a snow drift along the runway, and then flipped over. The pilot's reported flight time indicated that this was the pilot's first flight in the past 90 days. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. The airplane's right wing sustained crushing damage, the right wing strut collapsed. The windshield was broken, and the propeller was bent.
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind and his failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance which resulted in collision with a snowbank. The pilot's lack of recent experience, the crosswind, and snowbank are contributing factors.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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