Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On November 22, 1998, approximately 1330 mountain standard time, a Champion 7GCAA, N9632S, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during landing roll at Aurora Airpark, Aurora, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal cross-country flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Calhan Airport approximately 40 minutes before the accident.

According to the pilot's accident report, he landed on runway 32 (4,687 ft. X 38 ft., asphalt) with a right "gusty" crosswind. After touch down, the tail wheel began to "shimmy." The pilot said he pushed the control stick forward to relieve pressure on the tail wheel. He said a gust of wind then caused the airplane to weather vane sharply to the right. The airplane collided with terrain and nosed over. All four spars and three struts were substantially damaged, as well as the fabric wings and propeller. The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors were the gusty crosswind and terrain.