Champion 7GCAA accident near Bardwell, Kentucky, May 4, 2014
On May 4, 2014 at about 9:35 pm local time, a 1965 Champion 7GCAA, registered N9588S, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Bardwell, Kentucky (Private airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed while maneuvering shortly after takeoff, resulting in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall, uncontrolled descent, and impact with the ground.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 4, 2014 · about 9:35 pm local time
- Place
- Bardwell, Kentucky · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Champion 7GCAA, built 1965 · all 7GCAAs on the register
- Registration
- N9588S · no longer on the register · serial 7
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot performed an engine run-up before takeoff, which included checking both magnetos; he noted that each decreased 75 rpm. He applied takeoff power, and, with the engine developing full red-line rpm, the airplane became airborne in about 500 to 600 feet. After becoming airborne, he levelled off the airplane to accelerate then began to climb, turning to a southwesterly direction. The airplane climbed to between 150 and 200 feet, and, after the pilot reduced power, the airplane began to descend. He reported that he then applied full power; the engine responded, but the airplane continued to descend. The airplane impacted a field and then nosed over; both occupants exited the airplane. The passenger reported that a wind from the right occurred before the airplane pitched nose down. The pilot indicated that there was no flight control or engine issue, which was confirmed by the passenger. Although the pilot and passenger both reported an event associated with the wind that caused the airplane to descend, the nose-down pitch attitude described by the passenger was consistent with an aerodynamic stall/mush. Immediately after the accident, the pilot was taken to a hospital for treatment. Attending medical professionals and a law enforcement officer reported that, while there, he smelled of alcohol; however, the pilot left the hospital before toxicology testing could be performed. Therefore, no determination could be made whether the pilot was impaired by alcohol 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
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 700 hours in all; 150 in this make and model; 24 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 700 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 10, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,395 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 28, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A2B (piston); 2,615 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: None Bardwell KY at 9:35 pm
- Destination: None Bardwell KY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19, 1,200 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 11 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from PAH, 17 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
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 N9588S 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.