# NTSB ANC15CA055: Champion 7GCBC, N3085G, Skweetna, AK, July 24, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 23, 2015, 16:00 local (Jul 24, 2015, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Skweetna, AK - Coordinates: 61.930507, -151.730911 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9305&lon=-151.7309&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91622 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC15CA055 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91622/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91622 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15CA055 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision to land on an unsuitable landing surface which resulted in a nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7GCBC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=21101PK), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7GCBC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=21101PK), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Champion 7GCBC, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=21101PK), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a remote unimproved airstrip. Before the attempted landing, he made a low pass and determined that the dirt airstrip was clear of debris, and had what appeared to be grass on either side of the landing surface. During the final approach the airplane drifted about 10 to 15 feet to the left of the pilots intended touchdown point, and was aligned with the side of the airstrip. Having determined that the vegetation along the sides of the runway was grass the pilot elected not to execute a go-around and proceeded with the landing. The pilot realized, as the airplane touched down and immediately nosed over that the vegetation alongside the airstrip was not grass but alder brush. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, vertical stabilizer and left lift strut. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that the accident may have been prevented if he would have aborted the landing. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a remote unimproved airstrip. Before the attempted landing, he made a low pass and determined that the dirt airstrip was clear of debris, and had what appeared to be grass on either side of the landing surface. During the final approach the airplane drifted about 10 to 15 feet to the left of the pilots intended touchdown point, and was aligned with the side of the airstrip. Having determined that the vegetation along the sides of the runway was grass the pilot elected not to execute a go-around and proceeded with the landing. The pilot realized, as the airplane touched down and immediately nosed over that the vegetation alongside the airstrip was not grass but alder brush. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, vertical stabilizer and left lift strut. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that the accident may have been prevented if he would have aborted the landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3085G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3085G), registered now, S/N 91, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7GCBC - Registry model: [Champion 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcbc) (registry code 21101PK) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 91 - Year built: 1968 - Airframe hours: 1599 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Konstantine E Bunde - Registered owner: Konstantine E Bunde - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2014 - Destination: Skweetna, AK - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 147 total, 77 in this make and model, 147 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 8 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft broken - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.56 inHg - Observed at: PASW ## 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 20150723016449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150723016449A), Jul 23, 2015: Champion 7GCBC, Skwentna, AK, Substantial damage. Airman was landing on unimproved airstrip on talchulitna river, approximately eight miles southwest of Skwentna airport with conventional aircraft outfitted… ## Other investigations on N3085G (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 ANC22LA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA051), Jun 24, 2022: Champion 7GCBC (N3085G), Palmer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the gusting wind conditions with resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain. - [NTSB OAK78FVD10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78FVD10), Nov 18, 1977: Bellanca 7GCBC (N3085G), Tracy, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 14, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91622. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431528&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.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.