# NTSB ANC87LA062: Champion 7ECA, N9597S, Theodore River, AK, April 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 24, 1987, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Theodore River, AK
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4843
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4843/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA062

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL ON THE GRAVEL BAR HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO NOSE OVER ON ITS BACK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9597S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9597S-2013-08-21), registration cancelled 2013-08-21, S/N 7ECA-324, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7ECA
- Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7ECA324
- Airframe hours: 908
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James W. Drath
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 5, 1987, 3 hours before
- Departed: Z16, WASILLA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 120 total, 102 in this make and model, 88 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 39 °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 19870424011569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870424011569A), Apr 24, 1987: Bbavia 7ECA, Theodore River, AK, Substantial damage. The aircraft flipped over during landing on a gravel bar. Pilot reported left wheel sank in soft ground.

## Other investigations on N9597S (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 ANC93LA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA111), Jul 3, 1993: Champion 7ECA (N9597S), Dillingham, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S ATTEMPT TO TAKEOFF WITH INSUFFICIENT AIRSPEED. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ON WHICH TO LAND AND TAKEOFF.

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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