# NTSB ANC87FA033: Champion 7EC, N7539B, Kenai, AK, January 31, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 31, 1987, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Kenai, AK
- Coordinates: 60.659011, -150.899627 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.6590&lon=-150.8996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (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): 4769
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87FA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4769/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87FA033

## Analysis

THE PILOT ALLOWED THE WING TIP TO DESCEND INTO BRUSH AND WILLOWS WHILE TURNING TO AVOID OBSCURED SKY CONDITIONS. THE TURN WAS DOWNWIND AND THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND STRUCK THE SNOW WHILE SKIDDING SIDEWAYS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - judgment - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)

## 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: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Steven B. Grand
- Registered owner: Steven B. Grand
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 13, 1986, 125 hours before
- Departed: KUSTATAN RIVER, AK
- Destination: Z-30, PORT ALSWORTH, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,839 total, 202 in this make and model, 1,429 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 19 °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 19870131003299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870131003299A), Jan 31, 1987: Bbavia 7EC, Kustatan River, AK, Substantial damage. Attempted a low level turn after takeoff to avoid low clouds. Descended and dragged a wing causing a skid and stall

## 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 ANC87FA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87FA031), Feb 4, 1987: Champion 7EC (N7539B), Anchorage, 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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