# NTSB ANC89LA127: Champion 7GCBC, N6366N, Alexander Creek, AK, July 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1989, 17:30 local (Jul 24, 1989, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Alexander Creek, AK
- Location: 61.4218° N, 150.5999° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Alexander Creek, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4218&lon=-150.5999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 19, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5229
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5229/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA127

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE LANDING FLARE/TOUCHDOWN. TURBULENCE WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose down, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT AS HE FLARED TO LAND, THE FLOATPLANE ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE & TOUCHED DOWN ON THE THE RIGHT FLOAT. THE ACFT THEN WENT FORWARD & THE RIGHT FLOAT TIP WENT INTO THE WATER. THIS CAUSED THE STRUTS ON THE RIGHT FLOAT TO BEND. THE PROP THEN CUT INTO THE RIGHT FLOAT & PIECES OF METAL PIERCED THE LEFT FLOAT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE FLOATS SANK & ALLOWED THE ENG TO BECOME SUBMERGED IN THE WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6366N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6366N), registered now, S/N 15, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7GCBC
- Registry model: [Champion 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcaa) (registry code 21101N8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15
- Airframe hours: 1865
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gerald Blackledge
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 10, 1988, 49 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,195 total, 940 in this make and model, 1,038 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 48 °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 19890723024659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890723024659A), Jul 23, 1989: Bbavia 7GCAA, Alexander Creek, AK, Substantial damage. Stalled on final approach to land the floatplane in a river. Right wing hit the water and aircraft flipped 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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