# NTSB ANC87LA151: Champion 7ECA, N4183Y, Salcha, AK, September 5, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1987, 19:30 local (Sep 5, 1987, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Salcha, AK
- Coordinates: 64.370986, -146.590576 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.3710&lon=-146.5906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4914
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4914/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA151

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE ACFT WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED A QUARTERING CROSSWIND GUST ON FINAL APPROACH. THE LEFT WING COLLIDED WITH BRUSH AND SMALL TREES ALONG SIDE OF THE UNATTENDED AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT RPTD THE WIND GUSTING TO 16 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4183Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4183Y-2018-01-19), registration cancelled 2018-01-19, S/N 1189-77, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Champion 7ECA
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7eca) (registry code 1220460) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1189-77
- Airframe hours: 1658
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Peter William Welch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 30, 1986, 112 hours before
- Departed: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK
- Destination: 2Z5, SALCHA, AK
- Airport: Perkins Strip, runway 27, 2,000 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 129 total, 129 in this make and model, 90 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 12 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °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 19870904052999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870904052999A), Sep 4, 1987: Bbavia 7ECA, Salcha, AK, Substantial damage. Allowed aircraft to drift off runway on landing flare and struck trees. Crosswind component was exceeded.

## Other investigations on N4183Y (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 SEA78FYM53](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78FYM53), Sep 30, 1978: Bellanca 7ECA (N4183Y), Hillsboro, OR, 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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