# NTSB ANC96LA083: Champion 7AC, N83995, Clear, AK, June 5, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 5, 1996, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Clear, AK - Coordinates: 64.299163, -149.150878 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.2992&lon=-149.1509&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 August 20, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2847 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA083 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2847/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA083 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection in that he failed to ensure that the cabin door was properly secured for takeoff. Factors associated with the accident were: the open cabin door and rough/uneven terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb - door,passenger - open (contributing factor) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, takeoff - aborted - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he placed his dog in the back seat of the tandem seat tailwheel airplane in preparation for takeoff. The takeoff attempt was performed off airport, on rough and uneven terrain. During the takeoff roll, and just after becoming airborne, the cabin door opened and the pilot's dog tried to leave the airplane. The pilot aborted the takeoff and grabbed his dog. While rolling out after touchdown, the airplane encountered a small ditch and boggy terrain, and nosed over. ## Factual narrative On June 5, 1996, about 1000 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Champion 7AC airplane, N83995, sustained substantial damage during an aborted takeoff from an off airport site located approximately 20 miles west of Clear, Alaska. The solo private pilot and his dog were not injured. The local, 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot reported he was attempting to relocate his airplane to an area adjacent to Totek Lake after previously landing close to a site where he is constructing a cabin. He said that he placed his dog in the airplane's back seat, and had just lifted off the unimproved surface, when the cabin door popped open. The pilot said his dog immediately tried to get out the door, and the dog was partially through the door when the pilot began to abort the takeoff. The pilot stated he was trying to close the door, restrain the dog, and abort the takeoff all at the same time. The airplane touched down and continued to roll off the end of the usable surface into a small depression and bog. The airplane decelerated, and slowly nosed over, damaging the wing and lift struts. The pilot stated in an interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge that he was uncertain if the cabin door opened because of the uneven terrain, or because his dog moved the door latch. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N83995](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83995), registered now, S/N 7AC2682, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7AC - Registry model: [Champion 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ac) (registry code 21101MA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7AC2682 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Timothy E. Dugger - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 336 total, 290 in this make and model, 285 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 45° at 5 knots - Visibility: 70 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 19960605012789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960605012789A), Jun 5, 1996: Bbavia 7AC, Clear, AK, Substantial damage. Door came open on takeoff. Aborted and ran off end runway trying to keep a pet dog in aircraft. Rough remote strip. ## Other investigations on N83995 (2) 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 ANC85FA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85FA090), Jun 9, 1985: Aeronca 7AC (N83995), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC66A0051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC66A0051), Jun 27, 1966: Champion 7AC (N83995), Kasilof, AK, substantial damage, 1 fatal 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.