# NTSB ANC98LA088: Champion 7GCB, N9809Y, Hope, AK, July 1, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 30, 1998, 18:30 local (Jul 1, 1998, 02:30 UTC) - Place: Hope, AK - Coordinates: 60.840518, -149.399108 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8405&lon=-149.3991&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3171 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA088 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3171/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA088 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing/takeoff area. Contributing factors were the stream crossing the airstrip and the embankment. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - water (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Overrun, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor) ## Analysis The certificated commercial pilot was departing from a remote airstrip, estimated to be about 1200 feet long. He stated that while on the takeoff roll, the airplane passed through a small stream flowing across the airstrip, slowing the airplane's takeoff run. The airplane failed to become airborne and struck an embankment at the end of the airstrip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. ## Factual narrative On June 30, 1998, about 1830 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Champion 7GCB airplane, N9809Y, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a remote airstrip, about 20 miles southwest of Hope, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated commercial pilot/owner, and the one passenger aboard, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Merrill Field Airport, Anchorage, Alaska, about 1700. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, on July 1, the pilot reported that he was departing from a remote airstrip, estimated to be about 1200 feet long. He stated that while on the takeoff roll, the airplane passed through a small stream flowing across the airstrip, slowing the airplane's takeoff run. The airplane failed to become airborne and struck an embankment at the end of the airstrip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9809Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9809Y-2020-10-31), registration cancelled 2020-10-31, S/N 7GCB-46, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7GCB - Registry model: [Champion 7GCB](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcb) (registry code 21101PC) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7GCB-46 - Airframe hours: 3100 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Keith Webster Ham - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 12, 1997 - Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK - Destination: SWD, SEWARD, AK - Airport: Chickaloon Flats, runway 14, 1,200 × 100 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 500 total, 8 in this make and model, 406 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °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 19980630024809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980630024809A), Jun 30, 1998: Bbavia 7GCB, Hope, AK, Substantial damage. (From 19) on June 30, 1998, about 1830 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped champion 7GCB airplane, N9809Y, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from… ## Other investigations on N9809Y (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 ANC76DAA14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAA14), Aug 31, 1975: Champion 7GCB (N9809Y), Northway, AK, substantial damage 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.