# NTSB ANC94LA101: Champion 7GCBC, N315C, North Pole, AK, August 4, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1994, 21:35 local (Aug 4, 1994, 05:35 UTC)
- Place: North Pole, AK
- Coordinates: 64.770378, -147.330368 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.7704&lon=-147.3304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (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): 2537
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2537/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA101

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER RIGGING OF THE AIRPLANE'S AILERONS BY THE PILOT.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - flight control,aileron - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE PLANE'S AILERONS WERE RIGGED BACKWARDS DURING THE COMPLETE REBUILD OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE OWNER/PILOT.  THE OWNER/PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE INITIAL TEST FLIGHT FOLLOWING THE REBUILD.

## Factual narrative

On August 3, 1994, at 2135 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped champion 7GCBC airplane, N315C, crashed shortly after takeoff from Nelson Strip in North Pole, Alaska.  The commercial certificated pilot-in-command, the sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The local flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 for the purpose of checking the airplane out after a complete rebuild.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and there was no flight plan in effect.

The pilot reported to an FAA investigator that shortly after takeoff he applied right aileron to correct a slight drift to the left but that increased inputs of right aileron exacerbated the left banking tendency of the airplane.  A post accident inspection of the airplane revealed that the ailerons were rigged backwards.  This was pilot's first flight in the airplane following a complete rebuilt of the airplane by him.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N315C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7GCBC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 79
- Airframe hours: 1468
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Nelson, Leonard L.
- Registered owner: Edgar
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1982, 183 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,126 total, 50 in this make and model, 1,944 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19940803024309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940803024309A), Aug 3, 1994: Bbavia 7GCBC, North Pole, AK, Substantial damage. Newly rebuilt. On first test flight rolled left. Tried correct. Rolled more. Crashed. Ailerons hook up bankward.

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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