Champion 8KCAB accident near Groton, SD
On September 13, 2020, a Champion 8KCAB (airplane) was involved in an accident near Groton, SD. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- September 13, 2020
- Place
- Groton, SD
- Aircraft
- Champion 8KCAB · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 45.529°N, 98.093°W
- NTSB ID
- 20200913X42556
Official records · CEN20LA389
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn September 13, 2020, about 1100 central daylight time, an American Champion 8KCAB, N83DH, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Groton, South Dakota. The commercial pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. According to a witness, after takeoff, the airplane accelerated down the runway in ground effect before the nose pitched up to an estimated 45° angle. The airplane then rolled right and inverted and exited the roll maneuver in a nose-low attitude before impacting the ground. One witness estimated that the roll was initiated between 75 and 100 ft above ground level (agl). Two witnesses reported that the maneuver appeared intentional due to the rapid roll rate. Of three witnesses interviewed, all stated that they did not know of any planned aerobatic maneuvers for the flight. The flight took place as part of a fundraising event sponsored by a group of pilots attempting to raise money to encourage youth interest in aviation. A family member stated that the pilot routinely performed low-level aerobatics in the accident airplane. There were no aerobatic waivers issued for the accident flight or for the fly-in event. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATIONThe airplane came to rest about 200 yards south of runway 15. The airplane impacted in an upright, nose-low attitude before coming to rest inverted. Both wings, the fuselage, and empennage all sustained substantial damage. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit cont
Probable cause
The pilot’s loss of airplane control during a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver.
More accidents in SD
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Browse: South Dakota · Champion aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
