# Accident 20250831018879A: Champion 7GCBC, Sutton, AK, August 31, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 31, 2025, 14:00 local time
- Place: Sutton, AK
- Airport: King Ranch
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 61.7056° N, 148.3133° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.7056&lon=-148.3133&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5267X, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5267X) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Champion 7GCBC (registry code 21101PK, https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcbc) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O-320-A2B (registry code 42101, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-a2b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7GCBC
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 587 total, 487 in this make and model, 57 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC25LA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA100) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250831018879A

## Narrative

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

ON AUGUST 31, 2025, AT APPROXIMATELY 12:30 AKST, A CITABRIA AIRCRAFT IMPACTED MOUNTAINESS TERRAIN OUTSIDE OF SUTTON ALASKA.  THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED SEVERE TURBULENCE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TRAVERSE A MOUNTAIN PASS.  THE AIRCRAFT BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND CAME TO REST AT APPROXIMATELY  2500 FEET ELEVATION.

## 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 ANC25LA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA100), Aug 31, 2025: Champion 7GCBC (N5267X), Sutton, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The airplane’s encounter with a downdraft while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a forced landing and collision with terrain.

## Other reports on N5267X (2)

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

- [Accident 19960817023139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960817023139A), Aug 17, 1996: Bbavia 7GCBC (N5267X), Kenai, AK, Substantial damage. Too high and fast to land on remote strip. Began belated go around. Struck trees on climbout. Strip only 800FT long
- [Incident 19920812043439I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920812043439I), Aug 12, 1992: Bbavia 7GCBC (N5267X), Nondalton, AK, Minor damage. Pilot aborted takeoff roll. Right landing gear struck a mound of dirt and broke.

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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