# NTSB ANC96LA155: Champion 7GCBC, N9033L, Skwentna, AK, September 15, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 15, 1996, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Skwentna, AK - Coordinates: 61.930652, -151.730697 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9307&lon=-151.7307&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2905 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA155 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2905/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA155 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper planning/decision. Related factors were: the terrain condition, unfavorable (lee-side) wind, and trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot and a passenger were departing a remote mountain lake in a float equipped airplane. The lake was at an elevation of about 2,000 feet mean sea level. The pilot departed toward the west with a right quartering headwind. The departure path placed the airplane in the lee of a small mountain. After departure, the airplane would only climb to about 100 feet above the ground. Higher terrain and trees were in the departure path. The pilot lowered the nose of the airplane to gain airspeed and then pulled up over several trees. The right wing contacted a tree, the airplane descended into other trees. The pilot noted that the accident could have been prevented by taking two trips (or) by waiting for a more beneficial wind condition and departure route. ## Factual narrative On September 15, 1996, about 1600 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Champion 7GCBC, N9033L, crashed during takeoff from a remote area lake about 44 miles west of Skwentna, 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 commercial pilot and the sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. On September 17, 1996, the pilot reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) that he was departing Puntilla Lake located in the Alaska Mountain Range. The lake is located at an elevation of 2,000 feet mean sea level. During the takeoff toward the west, the pilot indicated a right quartering headwind of 10 knots with gusts to 15 knots, was present in the area. The departure path placed the airplane in the lee of a small mountain. After departure, the airplane would only climb to about 100 feet above the ground. The pilot indicated that higher terrain and trees were in the departure path. He lowered the nose of the airplane to increase the airspeed to about 75 MPH. He then pulled the nose of the airplane back and cleared several trees but the airspeed began to decrease. The right wing then contacted a tree and the airplane descended into numerous other trees. The airplane received damage to the floats, wings and fuselage. The pilot included a safety recommendation in the pilot/operator report submitted to the NTSB. The pilot noted the accident could have been prevented by..." making two trips, wait for more beneficial wind condition and departure route." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9033L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9033L), registered now, S/N 260-70, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7GCBC - Registry model: [Champion 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcbc) (registry code 21101PK) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 206-70 - Airframe hours: 1710 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jeffrey D. Zajicek - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, July 12, 1996, 60 hours before - Destination: LHD, ANCHORAGE, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 660 total, 300 in this make and model, 560 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 325° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °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 19960915031349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960915031349A), Sep 15, 1996: Bbavia 7GCBC, Skwentna, AK, Substantial damage. Floatplane unable to climb in lee of a ridge after water takeoff. Struck trees. ## Other investigations on N9033L (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 ANC95LA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA155), Sep 2, 1995: Champion 7GCBC (N9033L), Big Lake, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER RATE OF DESCENT DURING THE APPROACH TO LAND, AND HIS MISJUDGMENT OF ALTITUDE TO FLARE FOR LANDING ON GLASSY WATER. THE GLASSY WATER CONDITION WAS A RELATED… 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.