# NTSB ANC87LA123: Champion 7HC, N8976R, Seward, AK, August 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1987, 11:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Seward, AK
- Coordinates: 60.050651, -149.329696 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.0507&lon=-149.3297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4890
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4890/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA123

## 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
  - weather condition - tailwind (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ON LANDING AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT THEN STRUCK A SMALL MOUND AND NOSED OVER ON ITS BACK. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE LANDED WITH A 7 TO 10 KNOT TAILWIND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8976R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8976R-2012-08-30), registration cancelled 2012-08-30, S/N 7HC-28, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7HC
- Registry model: [Champion 7HC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7hc) (registry code 21101PN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7HC28
- Airframe hours: 1458
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kevin Ruggles
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 10, 1986, 60 hours before
- Departed: ENA, KENAI, AK
- Airport: SWD, Seward, runway 30, 4,535 × 100 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 274 total, 44 in this make and model, 134 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19870816045659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870816045659A), Aug 16, 1987: Bbavia 7HC, Seward, AK, Substantial damage. The aircraft veered off the runway on landing and nosed over. Passenger reported pilot landed with a tailwind.

## Other investigations on N8976R (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 ANC11CA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11CA049), Jun 16, 2011: Champion 7HC (N8976R), Kenai, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, resulting in the collapse of the main landing gear, and a nose over.

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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