# NTSB ANC92LA180: Champion 7AC, N85502, Homer, AK, September 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 23, 1992, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Homer, AK
- Coordinates: 59.399059, -151.319854 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.3991&lon=-151.3199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5819
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5819/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA180

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMANDS INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION IN SELECTING UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.  A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DITCH.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PILOT LANDED ON BEACH AND IMPACTED DITCH AND NOSED OVER, TEARING OFF LANDING GEAR, SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGING VERTICAL STABILIZER, FUSELAGE AND WINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85502](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N85502), registered now, S/N 7AC-4242, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7AC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (registry code 2110102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC 4242
- Airframe hours: 2707
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Karl D. Stoltzfus
- Registered owner: Karl D. Stoltzfus
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1992, 12 hours before
- Departed: HOM, HOMER, AK
- Destination: KACHEMAK BAY, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 790 total, 637 in this make and model, 724 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 30 °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 19920923040779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920923040779A), Sep 23, 1992: Bbavia 7AC, Homer, AK, Substantial damage. Struck a ditch landing on beach south of Homer. Tore off gear and 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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