# NTSB ANC82DA069: Aeronca Champ 7EC, N4314C, Lake Clark, AK, July 26, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1982, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Lake Clark, AK
- Coordinates: 61.200351, -149.750564 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2004&lon=-149.7506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71319
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82DA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71319/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DA069

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED WILLOW TREES WHICH SWERVED THE AIRCRAFT FARTHER INTO BRUSH. THE PILOT ABORTED THE TAKEOFF AND BRAKED TO A STOP. ENGINE FIRE STARTED WHICH CONSUMED THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4314C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4314C-1984-07-17), registration cancelled 1984-07-17, S/N 7EC-315 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA CHAMP 7EC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7EC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ec) (registry code 2110120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7EC315
- Airframe hours: 1500
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: A. Timothy Rittal
- Registered owner: A. Timothy Rittal
- Departed: LAKE CLARK, AK
- Destination: ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: Private Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 120 total, 120 in this make and model, 105 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 131 °F

## 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 19820726039809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820726039809A), Jul 26, 1982: Bbavia 7EC, Lake Clark, AK, Destroyed. Wing tip brushed willows on edge off runway on takeoff, aborted, nosed into brush. Evacuated. Fuel fire erupted.

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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