# NTSB ANC86LA001: Champion Citabria 7GCBC, N90921, Ptarmigan Pass, AK, October 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 4, 1985, 18:30 local (Oct 5, 1985, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Ptarmigan Pass, AK
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4617
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4617/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA001

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - pull-up - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND STATED THAT JUST AFTER DEPARTURE. HE SPOTTED A MOOSE AND MADE A LOW CIRCLE ABOVE THE MOOSE. HE LEVELED OFF AND ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE AIRCRAFT UP. THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT PITCHED DOWN AND THE AIRPLANE CRASHED TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90921](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90921-2014-10-06), registration cancelled 2014-10-06, S/N 423-73, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION CITABRIA 7GCBC (CITABRIA 7)
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (registry code 1220601) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 423-73
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Erich Paul Napflin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 30, 1985
- Departed: APTARMIGAN PASS, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °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 19851004049179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851004049179A), Oct 4, 1985: Bbavia 7GCBC, Ptarmigan Pass, AK, Substantial damage. Made a low circle above a moose and attempted to pull nose up. Nose pitched down and aircraft impacted the ground.

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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