Champion 7ECA N9976Y

Summary

On 4 February 2026 at about 19:45 local time, a Champion 7ECA registered N9976Y, operated by Rogue Air LLC, was involved in an accident near St. George, Utah, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 February 2026 at 19:45

Classification

Accident

Location

St. George, Utah, United States

Nearest airport

St George Regional Airport (SGU)

Coordinates

37.0369, -113.5096

Aircraft

Champion 7ECA

Registration

N9976Y

Category

Airplane

Year built

1964

Engines

1

Operator

Rogue Air LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR26LA096

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s improper application of brakes, which resulted in a nose over.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was conducting his third solo landing of the tailwheel-equipped airplane. Upon touchdown, he unintentionally applied pressure to the left heel-brake pedal, and the airplane turned to the left, which the pilot attempted to correct using rudder and brake controls. He reported that the tail struck the ground hard, and he then tried to slow the airplane using brakes, which resulted in the airplane tipping onto its nose. The rudder was substantially damaged during the accident sequence. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane was equipped with heel brakes, and the pilot reported that he had never flown the airplane from the front seat prior to the accident flight. He further added that the rear seat, where he typically flew, provided greater braking authority and opined that this unfamiliar configuration also led him to apply excessive brake pressure.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.