# NTSB ANC92LA082: Champion 7GCB, N9897Y, Snow Lake, AK, May 30, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1992, 19:00 local (May 30, 1992, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Snow Lake, AK
- Coordinates: 55.609664, -131.580978 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.6097&lon=-131.5810&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5733
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5733/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA082

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO KEEP THE AIRCRAFT ON THE STEP AND HE ALLOWED IT TO BECOME AIRBORNE. THE PILOT SUBSEQUENTLY LOST DEPTH PERCEPTION, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER RATE OF DESCENT, RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING AND COLLAPSE OF THE FLOAT LANDING GEAR. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GLASSY WATER CONDITION OF THE LANDING SURFACE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, taxi - from landing
  - lift-off - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO KEEP THE AIRCRAFT ON THE STEP AND ALLOWED IT TO INADVERTANTLY TO BECOME AIRBORNE AND SUBSEQUENTLY LOST DEPTH PERCEPTION, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER RATE OF DESCENT, RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING AND COLLAPSE OF THE FLOAT LANDING GEAR. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GLASSY WATER CONDITION OF THE LANDING SURFACE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9897Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9897Y), registered now, S/N 7GCB-117, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7GCB
- Registry model: [Champion 7GCB](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcb) (registry code 21101PC) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 117
- Airframe hours: 1475
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rice, John G.
- Registered owner: Rice, John G.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 1991, 51 hours before
- Departed: NONE, WARD COVE, AK
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 145 total, 57 in this make and model, 82 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken
- 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 19920529017139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920529017139A), May 29, 1992: Bbavia 7GCB, Snow Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Became airborne on glassy water during step taxi. Aborted,impacted nose down collapsing float struts.

## Other investigations on N9897Y (2)

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.

- [NTSB ANC07LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC07LA064), Jul 11, 2007: Champion 7GCB (N9897Y), King Salmon, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in the right main landing gear collapsing during takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident were rough/uneven terrain, and…
- [NTSB ANC03LA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA063), Jun 29, 2003: Champion 7GCB (N9897Y), Pilot Point, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and his failure to maintain control of the airplane that resulted in the left wing striking the ground during the landing roll. A factor…

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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