American Champion 7GCBC N711AT

Summary

On 3 July 2011 at about 02:36 local time, a American Champion 7GCBC registered N711AT was involved in an accident near Hayti, South Dakota, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 July 2011 at 02:36

Classification

Accident

Location

Hayti, South Dakota, United States

Coordinates

44.6772, -97.2481

Aircraft

American Champion 7GCBC

Registration

N711AT

Category

Airplane

Year built

2006

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bryant → Bryant

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

CEN11FA437

3 people died.

The pilot's decision to attempt low-altitude flight and his failure to maintain adequate clearance from power lines.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane collided with power lines while the pilot was intentionally flying at a low altitude. According to recovered GPS data, the majority of the accident flight was flown at less than 200 feet above ground level (agl). The final minute of recorded GPS data showed the airplane in a descending right turn to an easterly heading at a descent rate of 90 to 100 feet per minute and an average ground speed of 110 knots. The final data point was at an altitude of 50 feet agl as the airplane crossed over the road where the power lines were located. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. One of the propeller blades had indentations along its leading edge that had the same diameter and profile as the power lines found entangled with the airframe. The airplane was equipped with tandem seating intended for two individuals. The pilot was found in the front seat, and two 11-year-old children occupied the rear seat. Although the rear seat could accommodate two smaller individuals, it was only equipped with one restraint, and it could not be determined if both children were sharing the restraint at the time of the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.