# NTSB ANC92FA162: Champion 7EC, N4362C, Seward, AK, September 11, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1992, 21:12 local (Sep 11, 1992, 05:12 UTC)
- Place: Seward, AK
- Coordinates: 60.049003, -149.329986 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.0490&lon=-149.3300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5650
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92FA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5650/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92FA162

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, IN MODERATE-TO-SEVERE TURBULENT CONDITIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL. IN ADDITION, THE PILOT WAS PHYSICALLY IMPAIRED DUE TO ALCOHOL. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN CURRENT OR FORECAST WEATHER FOR THE AREA, MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, AND THE EXISTING TURBULENT AND WINDY CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AT 2112 AN ELT SIGNAL WAS RECEIVED BY THE SEARCH AND RESCUE SATELLITE SYSTEM (SARSAT). AT 0100 SAR ACFT LOCATED THE SIGNAL IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. MODERATE-TO-SEVERE TURBULENCE & DARKNESS PREVENTED A VISUAL SIGHTING. AT 0630 THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND; THE AIRPLANE HAD IMPACTED THE SIDE OF A STEEP MOUNTAIN AT THE 3,700-FT LEVEL. NO SHOULDER HARNESSES WERE INSTALLED IN THE AIRPLANE; THE PILOT HAD BEEN EJECTED, AND THE INJURED PAX HAD REMAINED IN HIS SEAT. BOTH DIED DUE TO HYPOTHERMIA. A LOADED RIFLE WITH A TELESCOPE WAS FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE. IT HAD ONE ROUND IN THE CHAMBER & 3 ROUNDS IN THE MAGAZINE. THE SAFETY WAS ON. APRX 20 MOUNTAIN GOATS WERE SIGHTED ON THE ALPINE AREA NEAR THE CRASH SITE BY INVESTIGATORS. AN AIRMET WAS IN EFFECT FOR OCCASIONAL MODERATE, ISOLATED SEVERE TURBULENCE BELOW 8,000 FT, WITHIN 2,000 FT OF TERRAIN. THE PILOT'S TOXICOLOGICAL FINDINGS WERE 0.121% FOR BLOOD ALCOHOL AND 0.267% FOR URINE ALCOHOL. THE PILOT'S WIFE STATED THAT HE DID NOT POSSESS A PILOT'S LICENSE, AND HAD BEEN 'FLYING FOR YEARS.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4362C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4362C-2003-02-18), registration cancelled 2003-02-18, S/N 7EC-385, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7EC
- Registry model: [Champion 7EC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ec) (registry code 21101NM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7EC-385
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Lohman, Russell
- Registered owner: Jess E. Sweatt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1990
- Departed: BEAR CREEK, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,000 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 14 knots, gusting 25
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19920910036349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920910036349A), Sep 10, 1992: Bbavia 7EC, Seward, AK, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Wreckage indicates near vertical impact on mountainside. Severe winds in area. Was engaged in spotting wild goats.

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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