# NTSB ANC92LA075: Aeronca Champion 7CCM, N82568, Willow, AK, May 22, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1992, 15:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Willow, AK
- Coordinates: 61.890254, -149.729293 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.8903&lon=-149.7293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5726
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5726/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA075

## Probable cause

THE COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE CONNECTING ROD.  FACTORS  WERE THE HIGH VEGETATION AND THE PILOT NOT MAINTAINING A PROPER ALTITUDE TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE A FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT AND THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A LOT OF NOISE.  THEY WERE MANEUVERING CLOSE TO THE GROUND TO TAKE A VIDEO OF SOME WILDLIFE AND WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND A FORCED LANDING AREA. THE ENGINE STOPPED PRODUCING POWER AND THE PILOT WAS FORCED TO LAND IN HIGH VEGETATION AND TREES.  THE AIRPLANE BURNED UPON IMPACT AND WAS DESTROYED.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO SEE A CONNECTING ROD STICKING OUT OF THE ENGINE CRANKCASE.  HE WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY WHICH CONNECTING ROD FAILED.  THE ENGINE AND AIRCRAFT LOGBOOKS WERE DESTROYED IN THE FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82568](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N82568-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 7AC-1205, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA CHAMPION 7CCM (CHAMPION 7)
- Registry model: [Champion AERONCA 7CCM](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-aeronca-7ccm) (registry code 2110148) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC-1205
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-8 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Timothy M. Peters
- Registered owner: Timothy M. Peters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 1900, 30 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 100 total, 30 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19920522016139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920522016139A), May 22, 1992: Bbavia 7CCM, Willow, AK, Destroyed. Engine threw a rod while circling low to film a moose. Crashed into trees and burned.

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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