# NTSB ANC95LA066: Champion 7GCB, N9958Y, Fairbanks, AK, June 7, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1995, 23:08 local (Jun 7, 1995, 07:08 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 64.809928, -147.719894 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8099&lon=-147.7199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 6, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2658
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2658/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA066

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRPLANE PRIOR TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. A FACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT IS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR 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) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED HE DEPARTED A LAKE WITH WHAT HE BELIEVED WAS SUFFICIENT FUEL FOR THE INTENDED FLIGHT. EN ROUTE, THE AIRPLANE RAN OUT OF FUEL AND THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A SMALL, SWAMPY LAKE, DAMAGING THE AIRPLANE'S FLOATS AND WINGS.

## Factual narrative

On June 6, 1995, about 2308 Alaska daylight time, a float- equipped Champion 7GCB airplane, N9958Y, sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing on a small lake/swamp located approximately ten miles south of Fairbanks, Alaska.  The solo private pilot/registered owner of the airplane was not injured.  The personal flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight departed Wien Lake about 2230.

The pilot reported in his written report to the NTSB that he thought there was more fuel in the airplane than there was, and that he inadvertently allowed the airplane to run out of gas while returning from Wien Lake.  He said he landed on a small swamp, and collided with trees during the landing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9958Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9958Y), registered now, S/N 7GCB-158, 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: 9958Y
- Airframe hours: 2065
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tom V. Zimmerman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 23, 1995, 5 hours before
- Departed: WIEN LAKE, AK
- Destination: FAI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19950606017919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950606017919A), Jun 6, 1995: Bbavia 7GCB, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Float equipped aircraft ran out of fuel. Landed in a swamp. Damaged float in brush and small trees.

## Other investigations on N9958Y (1)

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 SEA76DYC12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76DYC12), Aug 23, 1975: Champion 7GCB (N9958Y), Antelope, OR, substantial damage

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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