# NTSB ANC22LA051: Champion 7GCBC, N3085G, Palmer, AK, June 24, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: June 24, 2022, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Palmer, AK
- Coordinates: 62.18, -148.38
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.1800&lon=-148.3800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 105393
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC22LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105393/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105393
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA051

## Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the gusting wind conditions with resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7GCBC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=21101PK), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7GCBC, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=21101PK), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7GCBC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=21101PK), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Champion 7GCBC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=21101PK), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, following a bounced three-point landing at a remote unimproved airstrip, a gust of wind pushed the airplane toward terrain. He elected to conduct a go-around while maneuvering around various obstacles. The airplane subsequently settled to the ground and impacted a ditch, which resulted in substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation and that the accident may have been prevented if he had conducted a low approach before attempting to land followed by a wheel 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: 1729
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronsman Harry M
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 2022
- Departed: 51AK, Talkeetna, AK
- Destination: PAUO, Willow, AK
- Airport: PVT, Private
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 2, 2021; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 20,000 total, 550 in this make and model, 15,000 as pilot in command, 91 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.31 inHg
- Observed at: PAAQ, 33 nm away
- METAR: PAAQ 241953Z 20006KT 10SM FU CLR 21/11 A3031 RMK AO2 SLP264 T02060111

## 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 20220624011029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220624011029A), Jun 24, 2022: Champion 7GCBC, Chickaloon, AK, Substantial damage. While attempting an off-airport landing in gusty conditions, the aircraft bounced on landing. The pilot attempted a go around but lost flying airspeed and the…

## 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 ANC15CA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15CA055), Jul 24, 2015: Champion 7GCBC (N3085G), Skweetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper decision to land on an unsuitable landing surface which resulted in a nose over.
- [NTSB OAK78FVD10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78FVD10), Nov 18, 1977: Bellanca 7GCBC (N3085G), Tracy, CA, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 7, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105393. 3.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14157638&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20dms_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record - damage determination (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 124 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14157770&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20Damage%20Determination-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.

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