# NTSB ANC94LA056: Champion 7GCBC, N1648G, Circle Hot Spri, AK, May 9, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 8, 1994, 17:30 local (May 9, 1994, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Circle Hot Spri, AK
- Coordinates: 64.809295, -147.719726 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8093&lon=-147.7197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2500
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2500/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA056

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN CROSSWIND LANDINGS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND HAD NOT FLOWN IN A YEAR AND HAD JUST PURCHASED THIS AIRPLANE.  HE RECEIVED A BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW WHICH INCLUDED A 'DOZEN OR SO' LANDINGS.  HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND IN A 15 KNOT CROSSWIND AND LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHILE HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO RETRACT HIS FLAPS.

## Factual narrative

On May 8, 1994, at 1730 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Champion airplane, N1648G, registered to and operated by the Pilot-in-Command, ran off the runway at Circle Hot Springs, Alaska.  The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Fairbanks, Alaska, at 1615 and the destination was Circle Hot Springs.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and the airplane was substantially damaged.  The Pilot-in- Command, the sole occupant, was not injured.

According to the Pilot-in-Command, he had not flown for approximately a year.  He just purchased this airplane and completed a biennial flight review which included a "dozen or so" landings.  He stated he landed with a 15 knot crosswind and was attempting to retract his flaps.  The airplane veered into the wind and ran off the side of the runway and down a small embankment.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1648G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1648G-2019-09-06), registration cancelled 2019-09-06, S/N 129, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7GCBC
- Registry model: [Champion 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcbc) (registry code 21101PK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 129
- Airframe hours: 1020
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Warner, Carl E.
- Registered owner: Warner, Carl E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1993, 30 hours before
- Departed: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: CHP, Circle Hot Springs, runway 28, 3,700 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 370 total, 4 in this make and model, 370 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles

## 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 19940508014269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940508014269A), May 8, 1994: Bbavia 7GCBC, Circle Hot Spri, AK, Substantial damage. Newly purchased Aeronca. Had no flights prior year. Got a crosswind gust landing. Ran off runway. Struct a tree.

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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