# NTSB ANC91FA023: Champion 7EC, N8988R, Eagle River, AK, February 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 2, 1991, 11:35 local (15:35 UTC)
- Place: Eagle River, AK
- Coordinates: 61.209861, -149.249923 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2099&lon=-149.2499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5478
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91FA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5478/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91FA023

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, climb
  - performance data - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND STATED THAT HIS ENGINE WAS NOT PRODUCING SUFFICIENT POWER AND HE WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR TREES. HIS ENGINE DID NOT STOP TURNING.  EXAMINATION OF THE TERRAIN SHOWED THAT HE TURNED TOWARD RISING TERRAIN WHEN HE STATED HE WAS HAVING AN ENGINE PROBLEM.  FURTHERMORE, AN ENGINE TEST RUN SHOWED NO MECHANICAL REASON FOR THE LOSS OF POWER. THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND SUBSEQUENTLY SOLD THE AIRPLANE WRECKAGE AND ENGINE AND STATED TO THE BUYER THAT THERE WAS NOT AN ENGINE PROBLEM; THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO OUTCLIMB THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8988R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8988R), registered now, S/N 7EC-732, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7EC
- Registry model: [Champion 7EC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ec) (registry code 21101NM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 732
- Airframe hours: 2334
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-C 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert C. Bischoff
- Registered owner: Robert C. Bischoff
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 1990, 31 hours before
- Departed: NONE, LOWER FIRE LAKE, AK
- Destination: NONE, FIELD SITE, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Fire Lake, runway 18, 3,500 × 200 ft, ice

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 665 total, 516 in this make and model, 665 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 5 °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 19910202001369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910202001369A), Feb 2, 1991: Bbavia 7EC, Eagle River, AK, Substantial damage. Unable to out climb rising terrain after ski takeoff from frozen lake. Tried turn back but struck trees.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.