# NTSB ANC96LA128: Champion 7GCBC, N5267X, Kenai, AK, August 18, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 17, 1996, 21:15 local (Aug 18, 1996, 05:15 UTC) - Place: Kenai, AK - Coordinates: 60.659595, -150.89981 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.6596&lon=-150.8998&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2884 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2884/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA128 ## Probable cause the pilot's delayed in initiating a go-around, and his failure to maintain clearance from trees. The high/fast approach for landing was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot and passenger were landing in a remote area near a campsite in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. The landing area was 800 feet long and surrounded by trees. The pilot's landing approach was high and fast. About half-way down the landing area, the pilot executed a go-around and added full power, but the airplane collided with trees about 30 feet above the ground. ## Factual narrative On August 17, 1996, about 2115 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Champion 7GCBC, N5267X, collided with a tree during a go-around at a remote strip, about 33 miles west of Kenai, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Kenai Municipal airport at 2045. The pilot reported that he was intending to land in the area of Big River Lakes. The landing area was about 800 feet long and was oriented north and south. During the landing approach to the north, the pilot indicated his landing approach was too fast and too high. He decided to execute a go-around about half-way down the landing area. The pilot added full power but the airplane collided with trees about 30 feet above the ground. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5267X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5267X), registered now, S/N 192, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7GCBC - Registry model: [Champion 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcbc) (registry code 21101PK) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-A2B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-a2b) (registry code 42101, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 192 - Airframe hours: 2053 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William D. Furlong - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 4, 1995, 105 hours before - Departed: ENA, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 534 total, 480 in this make and model, 492 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 60 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19960817023139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960817023139A), Aug 17, 1996: Bbavia 7GCBC, Kenai, AK, Substantial damage. Too high and fast to land on remote strip. Began belated go around. Struck trees on climbout. Strip only 800FT long ## Other investigations on N5267X (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 ANC25LA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA100), Aug 31, 2025: Champion 7GCBC (N5267X), Sutton, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The airplane’s encounter with a downdraft while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a forced landing and collision with terrain. 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.