# NTSB ANC95LA074: Champion 11BC-S, N86135, Anchorage, AK, June 11, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 10, 1995, 16:00 local (Jun 11, 1995, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.16011, -149.990829 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1601&lon=-149.9908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2663
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2663/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA074

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT ARE GUSTY WINDS AND ASSOCIATED DOWNDRAFTS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF FROM A SMALL LAKE IN GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, HE SAID THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT, AND THAT HE WAS FORCED TO LOWER THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED. THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED UNTIL IT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN.

## Factual narrative

On June 10, 1995, about 1600 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Champion 11BC-S airplane, N86135, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain shortly after takeoff from an unnamed lake located approximately 20 miles south of Anchorage, Alaska.  The commercial pilot received serious injury. The one passenger aboard was not injured. The personal flight operated without a flight plan in visual meteorological conditions.  The flight's intended destination was Kenai, Alaska.

The pilot reported he was attempting to takeoff from a small lake in gusty wind conditions. He estimated the winds at 10 knots, gusting to 18 knots from the north. He said he made a step turn taxi from the south to the north, to make a northerly takeoff run. Soon after takeoff, he said he encountered a downdraft and realized he had low airspeed and minimal altitude above the brush-covered terrain.  He lowered the nose of the airplane to increase airspeed, but in the process lost altitude and collided with terrain.

The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical anomaly with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N86135](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N86135), registered now, S/N 11AC-562, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 11BC-S
- Registry model: [Aeronca 11AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-11ac) (registry code 0191102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 562
- Airframe hours: 1855
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12-F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Morris J. Brown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 28, 1995, 8 hours before
- Destination: ENA, KENAI, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,800 total, 25 in this make and model, 1,700 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °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 19950610017879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950610017879A), Jun 10, 1995: Bbavia 11AC, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Collided with shore terrain after water takeoff from small lake. Blamed a downdraft.

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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