# NTSB ANC25LA100: Champion 7GCBC, N5267X, Sutton, AK, August 31, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 31, 2025, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Sutton, AK · Remote mountain side - Coordinates: 61.70565, -148.31331 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.7056&lon=-148.3133&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 200961 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC25LA100 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200961/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200961 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA100 ## Probable cause The airplane’s encounter with a downdraft while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a forced landing and collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7GCBC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=21101PK), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7GCBC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=21101PK), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/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 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) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Champion 7GCBC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=21101PK), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: 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, while on approach to a remote airstrip in an area of mountainous terrain, he encountered a strong downdraft that forced the airplane into an area of rough and uneven terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and lift struts. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5267X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5267X), registered now, S/N 192, 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 O-320-A2B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-a2b) (registry code 42101, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 192 - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 2444 - Engines: Lycoming O320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Special, Provisional (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 22, 2025 - Departed: PAQ, Palmer, AK - Destination: PAQ, Palmer, AK - Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 20, 2024; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 587 total, 517 in this make and model, 487 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Turbulence: Moderate - Observed at: PAAQ, 23 nm away - METAR: PAAQ 312153Z 22005KT 10SM OVC100 13/07 A3023 RMK AO2 SLP239 T01330072 ## 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 20250831018879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250831018879A), Aug 31, 2025: Champion 7GCBC, Sutton, AK, Substantial damage. On August 31, 2025, at approximately 12:30 AKST, a citabria aircraft impacted mountainess terrain outside of Sutton Alaska. The aircraft experienced severe… ## Other investigations on N5267X (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 ANC96LA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA128), Aug 18, 1996: Champion 7GCBC (N5267X), Kenai, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's delayed in initiating a go-around, and his failure to maintain clearance from trees. The high/fast approach for landing was a related factor. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 22, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200961. 98.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 96.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19265716&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA100%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19265418&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA100%20photos-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.