- Date
- August 14, 1997, 07:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place
- Kaktovik, AK
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N5507HChampion 7ECA
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report November 10, 1998
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Alaska Regional Office
- FAA report
- 19970814025779A
- Case key
- 3045
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area. A factor related to the accident was the rocky terrain.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
During takeoff from a rough gravel bar, the tailwheel impacted a rock and separated from the airplane. The rudder sustained damage to the lower ribs.
Factual narrative
On August 14, 1997, at 0730 Alaska daylight time, an American Champion 7ECA Citabria, N5507H, sustained substantial damage when it contacted terrain during takeoff from a gravel bar on the Hulahula River, about 50 miles south of Kaktovik, Alaska, at position 69-03.2 north latitude, 144-35.3 west longitude. The private certificated pilot and single passenger were uninjured. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 as the return leg to Fairbanks, Alaska, from a sheep hunting trip. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and an extended flight plan had been filed with two other pilots.
The pilot stated that the airplane hit a rock during the start of the takeoff roll, and separated the tailwheel. He initiated rescue by turning on his Emergency Locator Transmitter, and was recovered by a helicopter from the North Slope Borough.
Inspection of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed damage to lower ribs in the rudder.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N5507H
- Reported as
- Champion 7ECA
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 1273-78
- Engine
- Lycoming O-235, 115 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Steve Donald Campbell
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Departed
- FAI · Fairbanks, AK
- Destination
- FAI · AK
- Flight plan
- Company VFR
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 39
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Front
- Flight hours
- 278 total · 278 in this make and model · 278 as pilot in command · 17 in the last 90 days · 14 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 50 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.