# NTSB ANC07LA064: Champion 7GCB, N9897Y, King Salmon, AK, July 11, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 10, 2007, 17:00 local (Jul 11, 2007, 01:00 UTC) - Place: King Salmon, AK - Coordinates: 58.088333, -156.136672 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.0883&lon=-156.1367&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Anchorage FSDO-03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 66163 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC07LA064 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66163/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC07LA064 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in the right main landing gear collapsing during takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident were rough/uneven terrain, and the collapse of the main landing gear. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - landing gear,main gear - collapsed (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis The commercial certificated pilot was taking off in a tundra tire-equipped airplane from a rough/uneven off-airport site under Title 14, CFR Part 91. He said his passenger reported hearing a thud or bang just prior to lifting off. The takeoff area was predominately gravel with some larger rocks, and the pilot reported that as the airplane lifted off, it immediately veered to the right. He said regardless of his control inputs, the airplane continued to the right, and impacted the ground. The pilot said the right main landing gear separated during takeoff, and the airplane did not have enough flying speed to overcome the drag. He said the airplane sustained damage to the right wing, right landing gear, fuselage, and propeller. In a written statement, the pilot wrote that more careful landing area selection might have prevented the accident. ## Factual narrative On July 10, 2007, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Champion 7GCB airplane, N9897Y, sustained substantial damage when the right main landing gear failed during takeoff, and impacted the ground, about 35 miles southeast of King Salmon, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal cross-country flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The commercial certificated pilot and sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on July 11, the pilot said that his passenger reported hearing a thud or bang just prior to the airplane lifting off. He said the takeoff area was predominately gravel with some larger rocks. The pilot reported that as the airplane lifted off, it immediately veered to the right. He said regardless of his control inputs, the airplane continued to the right, and impacted the ground. The pilot thought the right landing gear might have separated during takeoff, and the airplane did not have enough flying speed to overcome the drag. He said the airplane sustained damage to the right wing, right landing gear, fuselage, and propeller. In a written statement to the NTSB dated July 13, the pilot wrote that more careful landing area selection might have prevented the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9897Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9897Y), registered now, S/N 7GCB-117, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7GCB - Registry model: [Champion 7GCB](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcb) (registry code 21101PC) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7GCB-117 - Airframe hours: 2000 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Dave Cox - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2007 - Departed: King Salmon, AK - Destination: PAKN, King Salmon, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2006; seat: front; flight hours: 6,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 10 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20070710017569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070710017569A), Jul 10, 2007: Bbavia 7GCB, King Salmon, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 10, 2007, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped champion 7GCB-117 airplane, N9897Y, sustained damage when it descended… ## Other investigations on N9897Y (2) 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 ANC03LA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA063), Jun 29, 2003: Champion 7GCB (N9897Y), Pilot Point, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and his failure to maintain control of the airplane that resulted in the left wing striking the ground during the landing roll. A factor… - [NTSB ANC92LA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA082), May 30, 1992: Champion 7GCB (N9897Y), Snow Lake, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO KEEP THE AIRCRAFT ON THE STEP AND HE ALLOWED IT TO BECOME AIRBORNE. THE PILOT SUBSEQUENTLY LOST DEPTH PERCEPTION, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER RATE OF DESCENT, RESULTING… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.