# NTSB ANC21LA052: Champion 7GCBC, N5213X, Palmer, AK, July 4, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 4, 2021, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK - Coordinates: 61.501454, -149.09937 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5015&lon=-149.0994&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 103418 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC21LA052 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103418/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103418 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA052 ## Probable cause The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing 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) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Champion 7GCBC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=21101PK), [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: 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) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing rollout at an off-airport landing site as he was applying the brakes, the airplane encountered a series of “whoops” or bumps on the landing surface. After the airplane rolled over the first bump, the tail began to rise followed by the propeller impacting the second bump. The airplane subsequently nosed-over, sustaining substantial damage to both lift struts. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation and that the accident may have been prevented if he had selected a more suitable landing site. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5213X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5213X), registered now, S/N 177, built 1969 (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: 177 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 1422 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 B2B 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 2020 - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 23, 2020; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 131 total, 66 in this make and model, 87 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: PAAQ, 6 nm away - METAR: PAAQ 042053Z 20003KT 10SM SCT035 16/07 A3020 RMK AO2 SLP230 T01560067 56008 ## 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 20210704012609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210704012609A), Jul 4, 2021: Champion 7GCBC, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft flipped over while landing on a sandbar in knik river approx. 5 miles south of Palmer, AK. Pilot reported the aircraft was located approx. 2 miles… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 12, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103418. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12449009&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20DMS_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo (source unknown) (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12449027&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.