# NTSB ANC99LA144: Champion 7ECA, N3017G, Port Heiden, AK, September 13, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 13, 1999, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Port Heiden, AK - Coordinates: 56.959205, -158.579605 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.9592&lon=-158.5796&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 47333 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA144 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47333/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA144 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The private certificated pilot departed a beach next to the airport for a local flight. During the landing roll upon his return to the beach, he began a right turn to proceed uphill from the water. The main landing gear tires struck a clump of grass, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane received damage to the right wing spar, the windshield, and the vertical stabilizer. ## Factual narrative On September 13, 1999, about 1230 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Champion 7ECA airplane, N3017G, sustained substantial damage while landing on an area of beach at Port Heiden, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on September 13, 1999, the pilot reported he departed a beach next to the Port Heiden airport for a local flight. During the landing roll upon his return to the beach, he began a right turn to proceed uphill from the water. The main landing gear tires struck a clump of grass, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane received damage to the right wing spar, the windshield, and the vertical stabilizer. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3017G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3017G), registered now, S/N 511, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7ECA - Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 511 - Airframe hours: 1258 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-CI 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John M. Holm - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 17, 1998, 60 hours before - Departed: PAPH ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 224 total, 71 in this make and model, 29 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 59 °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 19990913025359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990913025359A), Sep 13, 1999: Bbavia 7ECA, Port Heiden, AK, Substantial damage. (.19) On September 13, 1999, about 1230 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped airplane, N3017G, sustained substantial damage while landing on an area of beach… ## Other investigations on N3017G (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 ANC73DAG88](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC73DAG88), May 6, 1973: Champion 7ECA (N3017G), Kenai, 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.