NTSB Factual Report

On November 14, 2003, about 1100 Pacific standard time, an American Champion 7GCAA, N124WD, collided with a series of objects following a loss of directional control while on the landing roll at Whiteman Airport (WHP), Pacoima, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed WHP about 1050 for the local flight in the pattern. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed.

During a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported that he was performing full-stop takeoff and landings on runway 12. During the rollout on his third landing, about halfway down the runway, the airplane encountered a strong crosswind. The airplane's right wing lifted, and the airplane began to drift to the left. He added full power and a combination of left aileron and rudder input in 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 that was parked in the tie-down area. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident.

A routine aviation weather report (METAR) for Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport (BUR), Burbank, California (located 4.4 nautical miles southeast from the accident site), indicated that about 7 minutes prior to the accident winds were calm.

NTSB Probable Cause

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.