Champion 7GCAA accident near Arlington, South Dakota, March 31, 2000
On March 31, 2000, a Champion 7GCAA, registered N8371V, was substantially damaged in an accident near Arlington, South Dakota. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the CFI's improper use of the throttle control during a simulated loss of engine power emergency. A factor associated with the accident was the rough terrain on which the forced landing was conducted.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 31, 2000
- Place
- Arlington, South Dakota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Champion 7GCAA · all 7GCAAs on the register
- Registration
- N8371V · registry record · serial 82
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After practicing touch and go landings and climbing to 1,000 feet agl, the CFI pulled the throttle back to simulate a loss of engine power. He reported that the student pilot applied carburetor heat, verified the mixture setting, and fuel selector position. The CFI reported the student advanced the throttle and the student reported the CFI 'rapidly' advanced the throttle upon completion of the simulated emergency. Engine power was not regained when the throttle was advanced. A forced landing was accomplished against the plowed rows in an open field. The left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing contacted the terrain during the landing. The CFI reported 'clearing the engine if loaded with fuel' may have prevented the accident. Both the CFI and the student pilot reported there was no mechanical failure/malfunction with the airplane.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 398 hours in all; 21 in this make and model; 100 in the last 90 days; 54 in the last 30 days; 283 as pilot in command; 48 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,696 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 29, 2000; 3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A2B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SD06
- Destination: BKX Brookings SD
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.
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.