# NTSB ANC20CA029: Champion 7GCAA, N9632S, Sterling, AK, March 3, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 3, 2020, 08:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Sterling, AK - Coordinates: 60.539058, -150.78944 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5391&lon=-150.7894&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA, Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 101057 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC20CA029 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101057/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101057 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA029 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance during approach, which resulted in the airplane impacting an area of deep snow. A factor associated with the accident was flat light conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Champion 7GCAA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md?model=21101N8), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7GCAA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=21101N8), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Light condition: flat light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7GCAA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025/cases.md?model=21101N8), [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7GCAA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=21101N8), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/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: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7GCAA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=21101N8), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Champion 7GCAA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=21101N8), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis In her written statement the pilot reported that while landing at a remote snow-covered airstrip, she inadvertently touched down about 20 ft short, and into an area of deep powder snow. The airplane subsequently nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations. Additionally, the pilot noted that flat light conditions made it very difficult to discern any topographical features of the airstrip and snow-covered terrain. The pilot did not submit a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9632S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9632S-2021-10-09), registration cancelled 2021-10-09, S/N 60, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7GCAA - Registry model: [Champion 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcaa) (registry code 21101N8) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 60 - Year built: 1966 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Sarah Shaw - Registered owner: Zimmerman Daniel R - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 88AK, Dutch Landing Strip, runway 7, 1,300 × 100 ft, snow ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 19; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 150 total, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 7 °F, dew point 1 °F - Altimeter: 29.47 inHg - Observed at: Soldotna Airport, 6.4 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 20200303005659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200303005659A), Mar 3, 2020: Champion 7GCAA, Sterling, AK, Substantial damage. On March 3, 2020 at 8:30 am local time, N9632S, an American Champion 7GCAA, sustained substantial damage when the pilot landed short of the runway plowed area… ## Other investigations on N9632S (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 DEN99LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA021), Nov 22, 1998: Champion 7GCAA (N9632S), Aurora, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors were the gusty crosswind and terrain. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 3, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101057. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot statement (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 582 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11638470&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC20CA029%20Pilot%20Statement%20Sarah%20Shaw_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 2 photos, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11646971&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-Rel.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.