American Champion 7GCAA accident near Pacoima, California, November 14, 2003
On November 14, 2003 at about 7:00 pm local time, a American Champion 7GCAA, registered N124WD, was substantially damaged in an accident near Pacoima, California (Whiteman Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in an on-ground collision with a sign and an unoccupied airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 14, 2003 · about 7:00 pm local time
- Place
- Pacoima, California · Whiteman Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- American Champion 7GCAA
- Registration
- N124WD · registry record · serial 444-2000
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane collided with a series of objects following a loss of directional control while on the landing roll. The student pilot reported that he was performing full-stop takeoff and landings. During the rollout on his third landing, about halfway down the runway, the airplane began to drift to the left. He added full power and a combination of left aileron and rudder input in an effort to stay on the runway. The airplane's right wheel collided with a taxiway sign located off the left side of the runway. The airplane continued to the left, crossed a taxiway, and collided with an unoccupied airplane. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. At the time of the accident, winds in the area were reportedly 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
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 210 hours in all; 210 in this make and model; 8 in the last 30 days; 8 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KWHP Pacoima CA at 6:51 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 12, 4,120 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 0 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from KBUR, 4 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.
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.