Champion 7ECA N6310N accident near Cottonwood, California

Probable cause

The flight instructor’s delayed response to an improper landing approach and runway overshoot, which resulted in an impact with an airport perimeter fence and trees.

NTSB analysis

The flight instructor and the pilot receiving instruction departed on an instructional flight. A witness who spoke to the pilots before their departure stated that the flight instructor occupied the front seat, while the pilot in the rear seat was receiving instruction in preparation for his flight instructor practical test.

First responders reported that, upon arriving at the accident site, they observed the airplane engulfed in flames and an individual later identified as the pilot receiving instruction, outside of the airplane. They immediately began extinguishing the fire and providing medical assistance. The pilot was alert and stated to first responders that he had self-extricated from the airplane and that the flight instructor remained inside. He further explained that the flight instructor had been flying the airplane at the time of the accident. During the landing approach, according to the pilot, while on approach to land the flight instructor overshot the runway, initiated a go-around, applied power, and subsequently lost control of the airplane.

Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted a 5-ft-tall fence post near the departure end of the 2,600-ft-long runway as well as a 40-ft tall tree along the runway’s extended centerline, before coming to rest at the base of a tree about 585 ft past the departure end of the runway.

Examination of the engine did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures; however, thermal damage precluded a detailed examination of the engine.

Although witnesses near the accident site did not observe the accident sequence, they reported no anomalies in the engine’s sound around the time of the accident. The airplane’s path past the departure end of the runway appeared to be consistent with the pilot’s statement that the accident occurred following a runway overshoot and subsequent go-around. It is likely that the decision to initiate the go-around was delayed, which resulted in collision with a fence post and trees.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR25FA145 for the full record.