Loss of control during landing involving an American Champion Aircraft Corp 7GCBC, Camden Airport, New South Wales, on 12 November 2025

What happened

On the afternoon of 12 November 2025, an American Champion Aircraft Corp 7GCBC with a tailwheel landing gear was conducting a dual training flight with an instructor and a student on board. After completing air work at a different location, the aircraft approached runway 24 at Camden Airport, New South Wales, for circuit training. 

During approach, instruction was provided to the student until the aircraft reached 600 ft, at which point the instructor then took over the controls. After conducting a standard approach, the pilot flared the aircraft as it reached the threshold. A gust of wind occurred just prior to contact with the runway resulting in the aircraft being pushed to the right. 

One main wheel struck the runway and the instructor reported that it seemed to ‘dig in’, resulting in the aircraft turning to the right significantly. The right wheel contacted the grass next to the runway and the instructor attempted to return the aircraft to the centreline, however the aircraft swung to the left resulting in a ground loop on the runway. 

The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the right wing, fuselage and landing gear. 

Safety message

Tailwheel aircraft are more susceptible to the effects of wind gusts during landing and can be more difficult for pilots to maintain directional control. If environmental conditions during the approach become challenging or unfavourable, initiating an early go-around will allow time to plan for how to manage the landing conditions and reconfigure the aircraft for a second approach. 

About this report

Decisions regarding whether to conduct an investigation, and the scope of an investigation, are based on many factors, including the level of safety benefit likely to be obtained from an investigation. For this occurrence, no investigation has been conducted and the ATSB did not verify the accuracy of the information. A brief description has been written using information supplied in the notification and any follow-up information in order to produce a short summary report, and allow for greater industry awareness of potential safety issues and possible safety actions.