American Champion Aircraft 8KCAB
Aircraft Manufacturer: American Champion Aircraft
Model: 8KCAB
About the American Champion Aircraft 8KCAB
The American Champion 8KCAB is the most-registered model in American Champion Aircraft's active lineup. The 8KCAB holds more than 400 active registered aircraft. The 8KCAB accounts for about 41% of the manufacturer's active registered fleet. About 80% of all 8KCAB airframes ever entered on the U.S. civil registry remain registered today.
Across recorded general-aviation accidents over the type's FAA-registration exposure, the American Champion 8KCAB shows about 3 accidents per 1,000 aircraft-years. In its cohort of same-type, same-engine-class, and seat-range aircraft, the 8KCAB shows a higher accident rate than about a quarter of comparable types. Of 21 recorded 8KCAB accidents, 6 were fatal.
Aircraft Details
| Manufacturer | American Champion Aircraft |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Serial Number | 2121000 |
| Model | 8KCAB |
| Category | Land |
| Aircraft Type | Fixed wing single engine |
| Weight | Class 1 (Up to 12,499 lbs gross take off weight) |
| Engine Type | Reciprocating |
| Number of Engines | 1 engine |
| Number of Seats | 1 seat |
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Safety Analysis
Composition of NTSB accident records for this model in general-aviation operations (FAR Part 91 and 137), based on NTSB data as of May 1, 2026. It's a breakdown of recorded accidents rather than a safety rating, and types with significant non-GA operation (such as Part 135) may be under-represented.
Accidents are identity-confirmed against FAA registration records (two independent sources).
19 exact, 0 recovered, 2 provisional
MethodologyTotal recorded general-aviation accidents within the analyzed period.
6 fatal accidents.
28.6% of recorded accidents were fatal.
Active aircraft fleet size contributing to the exposure data.
7,278
Aircraft-years of FAA registration exposure (2008–present).
Within its peer cohort
Within this model's peer class (same aircraft type, engine class, and seat range), comparison of its share of recorded NTSB accidents to its share of FAA registration exposure (aircraft-years since 2008).
This is a share comparison, not flight-hours adjusted, so a model flown more per airframe than its peers will show an accident share above its exposure share even if its per-hour safety is average. Methodology →
Accidents by year
Recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents per calendar year, derived directly from the NTSB accident database. Each bar shows the accidents that occurred in that year. Methodology →
Investigations take 12–36 months to finalise, so the trailing years come in incomplete. Recent years are adjusted upward for that lag. Observed counts show as solid bars, the lag-adjusted estimate shows hatched.
Phase of flight
Which phase of flight each accident occurred in, as coded by the NTSB. Most accidents happen in the phases where most flying time is concentrated, so this isn't a measure of which phase is most dangerous.
Finding category
Top-level NTSB cause category, from the coded investigation findings. An accident often has more than one finding, so totals here can exceed the recorded accident count.
Injury severity
NTSB classification of the worst injury in each accident: None, Minor, Serious, or Fatal. Each accident counts in exactly one severity.
Operating-rule mix (all parts): 091 (21)· NUSN (1)
Recorded Accidents
All 41 recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents for this model, most recent first.
| Date | Location | Tail | Damage | Highest injury | Phase of flight | Finding categories |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trinidad, CO | N2663Z | Substantial | None | Landing | unknown | |
| Alpine, WY | N59SE | Substantial | Minor | Approach | Personnel issues, Environmental issues, Aircraft | |
| Irvington, AL | N157WB | Substantial | Fatal | Initial climb | unknown | |
| Jamesburg, CA | N15WJ | Substantial | Minor | Maneuvering | unknown | |
| Mojave, CA | N538EE | Substantial | None | Landing | Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Larchwood, IA | N5038E | Substantial | Serious | Initial climb | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Oklahoma City, OK | N303SB | Substantial | None | Landing | Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues | |
| Hyannis, NE | N717DJ | Substantial | None | Landing | Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues | |
| Knoxville, TN | N721SD | Substantial | None | Landing | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Marengo, WI | N843AC | Destroyed | Fatal | Maneuvering | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Beaumont, TX | N2468W | Substantial | Serious | Approach | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Rhine, GA | N390PE | Substantial | Fatal | Maneuvering | Personnel issues, Not determined, Aircraft | |
| ARGYLE, NY | N1182E | Substantial | Serious | Landing | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Rock Springs, WY | N7654S | Substantial | None | Takeoff | Aircraft | |
| Ellijay, GA | N787AC | Substantial | Minor | Landing | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Rainbow City, AL | N68555 | Substantial | None | Enroute | Aircraft, Not determined | |
| El Dorado, MO | N62979 | Substantial | None | Landing | Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Ferguson, FL | N157WB | Substantial | None | Landing | Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Stafford, KS | N55067 | Substantial | None | Takeoff | Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Knoxville, TN | N2504Z | Substantial | Minor | Enroute | Environmental issues, Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Cordova, SC | N68JK | Substantial | None | Landing | Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Freemont Island, UT | N8SF | Substantial | None | Maneuvering | Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Black Diamond, WA | N244SF | Substantial | Minor | Landing | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| San Pedro, CA | N5057G | Substantial | Fatal | Maneuvering | Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Superior, WI | N102EC | Substantial | None | Initial climb | Environmental issues, Aircraft |
Page 1 of 2 (showing accidents 1–25 of 41).