# NTSB ANC10CA070: Champion 7EC, N4697E, Soldotna, AK, August 18, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 17, 2010, 21:00 local (Aug 18, 2010, 05:00 UTC)
- Place: Soldotna, AK
- Coordinates: 60.508056, -151.04306 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5081&lon=-151.0431&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 77011
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC10CA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77011/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77011
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10CA070

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the initial climb.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7EC, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=21101NM), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7EC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=21101NM), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7EC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=21101NM), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Champion 7EC, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=21101NM), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

Moments after a calm-water takeoff, the single-engine floatplane stalled while in a climbing turn and impacted the water in a nose low attitude. The airplane came to rest nearly submerged with the empennage extending above the surface. The pilot and passenger were able to exit unassisted. During the mishap the airplane’s wing struts were bent and both floats were torn free from their mounts. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane that contributed to the accident.

## Factual narrative

Moments after a calm-water takeoff, the single-engine floatplane stalled while in a climbing turn and impacted the water in a nose low attitude. The airplane came to rest nearly submerged with the empennage extending above the surface. The pilot and passenger were able to exit unassisted. During the mishap the airplane’s wing struts were bent and both floats were torn free from their mounts. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane that contributed to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4697E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4697E), registered now, S/N 7EC-44, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7EC
- Registry model: [Champion 7EC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ec) (registry code 21101NM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7EC-44
- Airframe hours: 3399
- Engines: CONT MOTOR O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Iverson James P
- Registered owner: Iverson James P
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 28, 2005
- Departed: Soldotna, AK
- Destination: Beaver Lake, AK
- Airport: Sport Lake, runway 18, 2,500 × 1,500 ft, water

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 28, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 550 total, 230 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 17° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.75 inHg
- Observed at: PASX, 3 nm away

## 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 20100817044209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100817044209A), Aug 17, 2010: Champion 7EC, Substantial damage. State trooper reported to the NTSB & FAA ... Aircraft failed to get airborne at sport lake (soldotna) on second takeoff attempt aircraft stalled and the tips…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 9, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77011. 1.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40338601&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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.

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