# NTSB ANC11CA049: Champion 7HC, N8976R, Kenai, AK, June 16, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 16, 2011, 15:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Kenai, AK - Coordinates: 60.378612, -152.288604 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.3786&lon=-152.2886&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 19, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 80801 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC11CA049 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/80801/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80801 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA049 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, resulting in the collapse of the main landing gear, and a nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: main landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure; cases with it: [Champion 7HC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md?model=21101PN), [All aircraft, 241 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7HC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=21101PN), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Champion 7HC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=21101PN), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Champion 7HC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=21101PN), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7HC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=21101PN), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Champion 7HC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=21101PN), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was landing on a beach when the airplane struck a rock, resulting in a nose over and separation of the right main landing gear. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing during the accident sequence. Prior to landing, the pilot made a low pass over the beach, and thought it looked suitable for landing. However, after touchdown, he realized the rocks on the beach were larger than they appeared from the air. The pilot said there were no known mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. In a written statement to the NTSB, the pilot said he should have picked a better place to land. ## Factual narrative The solo airline transport pilot was landing on a beach when the airplane struck a rock, resulting in a nose over and separation of the right main landing gear. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing during the accident sequence. The pilot made a low pass over the landing area, and thought it looked suitable for landing. Upon landing, he said the rocks on the beach were larger than they appeared from the air, and he inadvertently struck one. The pilot said there were no known mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. In a written statement to the NTSB, the pilot said he should have picked a better place to land. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8976R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8976R-2012-08-30), registration cancelled 2012-08-30, S/N 7HC-28, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7HC - Registry model: [Champion 7HC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7hc) (registry code 21101PN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7HC-28 - Airframe hours: 2955 - Engines: LYCOMING O-290 SERIES 140 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Scott Veal - Registered owner: Scott Veal - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 24, 2010 - Departed: PAEN, Kenai, AK - Destination: Kenai, AK - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 27, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 3,700 total, 0 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command, 350 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20110616011089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110616011089A), Jun 16, 2011: Champion 7HC, Kenai, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot landed off airport near redoubt creek AK, aircraft's right gear struck a rock after touchdown which caused the gear to collapse. The right wingtip and… ## Other investigations on N8976R (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 ANC87LA123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA123), Aug 16, 1987: Champion 7HC (N8976R), Seward, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 7, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80801. 384 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 384 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350695&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. --- 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.