Accident · 2024-04-12
What the record says
- Event date
- 2024-04-12
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury level
- No injuries
- Aircraft
- AMERICAN CHAMPION AIRCRAFT 7ECA (N793L)
- Operating rule
- Part 91
- Operator
- LETOURNEAU UNIVERSITY Operator named in NTSB report
- Operated by (per NTSB report)
- LETOURNEAU UNIVERSITY
Probable cause
The rudder post’s failure due to corrosion fatigue. Contributing to the accident were the misalignment of the rudder hinge components, which produced mechanical binding and elevated localized stress, and a compromised the protective coating, which allowed corrosion to accelerate fatigue cracking.
Source: NTSB case CEN24LA162Flight crew
Certification and experience as recorded in the NTSB accident database for this event. The NTSB records these facts about the crew's flying history; GroundCheck shows them as filed, without names or identities.
| Role | Certificate | Instrument rating | Age | Medical | Flight hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot pilot flying | Airline transport pilot / Flight instructor / Commercial | Airplane | 54 | Class 2 (2023-05-01) | 9,381 total · 988 in this make/model · 9,112 as PIC · 55 last 90 days |
| Pilot | Airline transport pilot / Flight instructor / Commercial | Airplane | 49 | Class 2 (2023-12-22) | 10,327 total · 1,519 in this make/model · 8,354 as PIC · 127 last 90 days |
Facts as the NTSB records them — GroundCheck adds no judgement. Preliminary records may be revised as the investigation proceeds.