# Accident 20150723016449A: Champion 7GCBC, Skwentna, AK, July 23, 2015

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 23, 2015, 16:00 local time
- Place: Skwentna, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 61.9305° N, 151.7309° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9305&lon=-151.7309&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3085G, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3085G) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Champion 7GCBC (registry code 21101PK, https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcbc) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7GCBC
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 140 total, 70 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC15CA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15CA055) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150723016449A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

AIRMAN WAS LANDING ON UNIMPROVED AIRSTRIP ON TALCHULITNA RIVER, APPROXIMATELY EIGHT MILES SOUTHWEST OF SKWENTNA AIRPORT WITH CONVENTIONAL AIRCRAFT OUTFITTED WITH 31" BUSHWHEEL TIRES.

AIRMAN CHOSE TO LAND ON AIRSTRIP THAT WAS GRASS AND WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS MOWED DOWN ALDER BUSHES IN THE LANDING AREA.  AFTER OVERFLYING THE STRIP TO CONFIRM IT WAS CLEAR, HE MADE HIS LANDING APPROACH.  WHILE STILL AIRBORNE, AT ABOUT TEN FEET OFF THE GROUND, HE REALIZED THE ALDERS WERE TALLER THAN HE THOUGHT, BUT DECIDED TO CONTINUE THE LANDING.  HIS RIGHT MAIN TIRE TOUCHED DOWN ON THE GRASS BUT THE LEFT MAIN WAS IN THE ALDERS.  THE ALDERS ARRESTED HIS FORWARD MOVEMENT AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER ONTO ITS BACK, DAMAGING THE WINGS, VERTICAL STABILIZER, AND PROPELLER.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC15CA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15CA055), Jul 24, 2015: Champion 7GCBC (N3085G), Skweetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper decision to land on an unsuitable landing surface which resulted in a nose over.

## Other reports on N3085G (3)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20220624011029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220624011029A), Jun 24, 2022: Champion 7GCBC (N3085G), Chickaloon, AK, Substantial damage. While attempting an off-airport landing in gusty conditions, the aircraft bounced on landing. The pilot attempted a go around but lost flying airspeed and the…
- [Incident 19830710040399I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830710040399I), Jul 10, 1983: Bbavia 7GCB (N3085G), Livermore, CA, Minor damage. Cleared in position on runway. Allowed aircraft to move. Tower repeated hold. Abrupt brake action caused nose up.
- [Accident 19771118036089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19771118036089A), Nov 18, 1977: Blanca 7GCBC (N3085G), Tracy, CA, Substantial damage. Crashed short of rwy in gravel pit.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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