# NTSB ANC89LA030: Champion 7GCBC, N5134T, Cantwell, AK, January 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 2, 1989, 15:12 local (19:12 UTC)
- Place: Cantwell, AK
- Coordinates: 63.010951, -149.400863 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.0110&lon=-149.4009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5157
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5157/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA030

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE, AND THE SNOW COVERED RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER WERE ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON A SNOW COVERED RUNWAY AT CANTWELL, AK. THE WHEEL EQUIPPED AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED DEEP SNOW DURING THE LANDING ROLL, CAUSING THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR TO COLLAPSE. THE STUDENT PILOT HAD A TOTAL OF 49.2 HOURS OF FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, AND WAS PROHIBITED FROM CARRYING PASSENGERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5134T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5134T), registered now, S/N 75, built 1966 (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: 75
- Airframe hours: 3491
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bradley E. Miller
- Registered owner: Miller, Bradley E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1988, 14 hours before
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: Z68, CANTWELL, AK
- Airport: Z68, Cantwell, runway 4, 2,100 ×  ft, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 49 total, 16 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 16 °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 19890102000109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890102000109A), Jan 2, 1989: Bbavia 7GCBC, Cantwell, AK, Substantial damage. Landed on an unplowed runway. Left main gear collapsed when it hit deep snow. Not authorized to carry a passenger.

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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