# NTSB ANC83FA033: Champion 7HC, N8974R, Anchorage, AK, January 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 16, 1983, 12:17 local (16:17 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.219627, -149.850326 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2196&lon=-149.8503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4015
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83FA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4015/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83FA033

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - wing,skin - ice (cause)
  - ice/frost removal from aircraft - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACRT CRASHED INTO 3 PARKED ACFT DURING A TURN AFTER TAKEOFF. THE ACFT WENT OUT OF CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF AT 10-40 FTOFF THE GROUND. IT ROLLED TO THE LEFT AND THE LEFT LANDING GEAR HIT A SNOWBANK BETWEEN THE RWY AND THE TAXIWAY. IT LOST SPEED AND STRUCK THE TAXIWAY WHERE IT BOUNCED AND SLID INTO THE PARKED ACFT. THE ACFT WAS UNDER POWER WHEN THE CONTACTS OCCURRED. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE WINGS WERE FOUND COVERED WITH FROST. THE LEFT WING WAS COVERED ON TOP AND BOTTOM. THE RIGHT WING HAD FROST ON THE BOTTOM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8974R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8974R-1988-04-12), registration cancelled 1988-04-12, S/N 29 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7HC
- Registry model: [Champion AERONCA 7HC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-aeronca-7hc) (registry code 2110172) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 29
- Airframe hours: 970
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2B 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard Lee Eaton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 1982, 9 hours before
- Destination: TKA, TALKEETNA, AK
- Airport: MR1, Merrill, runway 24, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 254 total, 65 in this make and model, 146 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830116001029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830116001029A), Jan 16, 1983: Bbavia 7HC, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Lost control on takeoff. Left wheel sheared on a snow berm. Aircraft then slid into parked aircraft. Frost on wings

## Other investigations on N8974R (3)

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 ANC78DAH18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC78DAH18), Sep 13, 1978: Champion 7HC (N8974R), Cantwell, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC66F0058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC66F0058), Oct 5, 1965: Champion 7HC (N8974R), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC66D0055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC66D0055), Sep 27, 1965: Champion 7HC (N8974R), Tyonek, AK, substantial damage

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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