American Champion Aircraft 8KCAB accident near Cordova, South Carolina, July 24, 2016
On July 24, 2016 at about 9:40 pm local time, a 1996 American Champion Aircraft 8KCAB, registered N68JK, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Cordova, South Carolina. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading, which resulted in the airplane not being aligned with the runway and a subsequent runway excursion.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 24, 2016 · about 9:40 pm local time
- Place
- Cordova, South Carolina · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- American Champion Aircraft 8KCAB NO SERIES, built 1996 · all 8KCABs on the register
- Registration
- N68JK · registry record · serial 780-96
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, during approach he slipped the airplane down to the private turf airstrip. He reported that when he recovered from the slip, the nose of the airplane was not aligned with the airstrip heading, and still not aligned during touchdown. The pilot reported that he was not able to correct the airplane's heading during the landing roll and the airplane impacted the corn stalks that bordered the airstrip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the ribs of both wings and both ailerons. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with any portion of the airplane that would have prevented normal flight operations. The pilot reported that the wind at the airstrip was calm.
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
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › (general) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 144 hours in all; 49 in this make and model; 91 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 28, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,167 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 24, 2016
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming AEIO-360-H1B (piston); 2,167 hours total
- Operator: Flying Fun & Company
The flight
- Departed from: 1DS Orangeburg SC at 9:35 pm
- Destination: Cordova SC
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 9,000 ft; scat at 4,900 ft
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 7:15 pm from KDYB, 17 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on November 18, 2016. 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.