# NTSB ANC87LA141: Champion 7GCBC, N8CK, Talkeetna, AK, September 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1987, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Talkeetna, AK
- Coordinates: 62.450447, -149.790069 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4504&lon=-149.7901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4905
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4905/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA141

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - dirty(foggy) (cause)
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - lift-off - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKE OFF FROM AN UNIMPROVED SITE WHILE THE INSIDE OF THE AIRPLANE'S WINDOWS WERE PARTIALLY OBSCURED WITH CONDENSATION. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A ROCK WITH ITS MAIN GEAR DURING THE TAKE OFF ROLL AND BECAME PREMATURELY AIRBORNE. THE PILOT SUBSEQUENTLY WAS UNABLE TO GAIN SUFFICIENT FLYING SPEED AND CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8CK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8CK), registered now, S/N 104 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7GCBC
- Registry model: [Champion 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcbc) (registry code 21101PK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 104
- Airframe hours: 2026
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mark D. Hartman
- Registered owner: Mark D. Hartman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1987, 33 hours before
- Destination: TKA, TALKEETNA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 826 total, 698 in this make and model, 752 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °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 19870906050279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870906050279A), Sep 6, 1987: Bbavia 7GCBC, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. The aircraft hit a rock on takeoff, became prematurely airborne and struck tundra. Fogged windows obscured vision.

## Other investigations on N8CK (2)

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 ANC24FA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24FA091), Sep 13, 2024: Champion 7GCBC (N8CK), Ninilchik, AK, substantial damage, 2 fatal, investigation ongoing
- [NTSB ANC80DAA08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC80DAA08), Mar 2, 1980: Bellanca 7GCBC (N8CK), Chandler Lake, 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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