Champion 8KCAB accident near Groton, South Dakota, September 13, 2020
On September 13, 2020 at about 4:00 pm local time, a 1997 Champion 8KCAB, registered N83DH, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (aerobatics) near Groton, South Dakota (Groton Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s loss of airplane control during a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 13, 2020 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Groton, South Dakota · Groton Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Champion 8KCAB No Series, built 1997 · all 8KCABs on the register
- Registration
- N83DH · registry record · serial 786-96
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to a witness, after takeoff, the pilot accelerated the airplane down the runway in ground effect before pitching the nose 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. Two witnesses reported that the maneuver appeared intentional due to the rapid roll rate. A family member stated that the pilot routinely performed low-level aerobatics in the accident airplane. Examination of the airplane confirmed continuity to all flight control surfaces and no engine or airframe anomalies were found that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the pilot intentionally attempted the aerobatic maneuver, lost control, and was unable to recover given the altitude available.
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
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (aerobatics) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Pitch control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 15,427 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (waiver time limited special)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: 2E6 Groton SD at 4:00 pm
- Destination: 2E6 Groton SD
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15, 2,070 ft by 140 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from KABR, 14 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
10 documents, released by the NTSB on June 13, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Witness Statements | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation_family | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Email Memo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Aerobatic Waiver Memo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Weather Study Report | PDF, 22 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Weather Attachment 1 | PDF, 33 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Weather Attachment 2 | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 10 | Autopsy Memo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N83DH 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.