# NTSB ANC87FA031: Champion 7EC, N7539B, Anchorage, AK, February 4, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 4, 1987, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.159923, -149.989028 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1599&lon=-149.9890&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4768
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87FA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4768/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87FA031

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND ACCOMPLISHED UNAUTHORIZED REPAIRS TO HIS AIRPLANE AFTER AN INCIDENT FOUR DAYS EARLIER. HE REPAIRED THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR BY USING A COMMON DOOR HINGE TO ATTACH IT TO THE FUSELAGE. UPON LANDING, THE DOOR HINGE FAILED AND CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WAS LOST.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,major repair - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - previous damage (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,major repair - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7539B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7539B-2013-05-08), registration cancelled 2013-05-08, S/N 7EC-596, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7EC
- Registry model: [Champion 7EC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ec) (registry code 21101NM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 596
- Airframe hours: 4345
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Steven B. Grand
- Registered owner: Seven Star Flying Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 1986, 126 hours before
- Departed: KUSTATAN, AK
- Destination: LHD, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: LHD, Lake Hood, runway 27, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,840 total, 203 in this make and model, 1,430 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ANC, 1 nm away

## 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 19870204001669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870204001669A), Feb 4, 1987: Bbavia 7EC, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot repaired broken right main gear leg severed on prior accident with a door hinge which collapsed on landing.

## Other investigations on N7539B (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 ANC87FA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87FA033), Jan 31, 1987: Champion 7EC (N7539B), Kenai, 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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