American Champion Aircraft 7GCBC accident near Hayti, South Dakota, July 3, 2011
On July 3, 2011 at about 2:36 am local time, a 2006 American Champion Aircraft 7GCBC, registered N711AT, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Hayti, South Dakota. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's decision to attempt low-altitude flight and his failure to maintain adequate clearance from power lines.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 3, 2011 · about 2:36 am local time
- Place
- Hayti, South Dakota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- American Champion Aircraft 7GCBC, built 2006 · all 7GCBCs on the register
- Registration
- N711AT · no longer on the register · serial 1414-2006
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 207 hours in all; 51 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 170 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 3, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 219 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 22, 2010; 18 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,950 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Superior O-360-A3A2 (piston); 168 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Bryant SD at 2:26 am
- Destination: PVT Bryant SD
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 am from ATY, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N711AT the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.