# NTSB ANC99LA148: Champion 7GCBC, N9018L, Sleetmute, AK, September 7, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 6, 1999, 16:00 local (Sep 7, 1999, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Sleetmute, AK - Coordinates: 61.679138, -157.160461 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6791&lon=-157.1605&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 47535 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA148 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47535/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA148 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area. A factor in this accident was the rough and uneven gravel bar. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - aborted - terrain condition - sand bar - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) that he landed long on an off airport gravel bar, and attempted to abort the landing. He said the airplane became airborne, and the wind died. The airplane's landing gear contacted brush, and the airplane landed hard. He said the winds were 15 to 20 knots. The pilot of a second airplane said the landing area had washed out, and was unsuitable for landing. ## Factual narrative On September 6, 1999, about 1600 Alaska daylight time, a Champion 7GCBC airplane, N9018L, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing on a gravel bar about 20 miles south of Sleetmute, Alaska, at 61 degrees 30 minutes north latitude, 157 degrees 00 minutes west longitude. The solo private pilot sustained serious injuries. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight to the pilot's hunting camp on the south fork of the Kuskokwim River. The Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight departed Birchwood Airport, Chugiak, Alaska, about 1200. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) on September 21, after discharge from the hospital, the pilot stated that he was landing to the south, landed long, and attempted to abort the landing. The pilot indicated that the airplane became airborne, and the wind died. The airplane's landing gear contacted brush, and the airplane landed hard. Both main landing gear assemblies collapsed, and both wing struts were bent. The pilot described the winds from the southeast at 15 to 20 knots. The pilot described the landing as hard, but not severe. He said the airplane landed level, and "did not even bend the seats." He stated he only received minor injuries. A review by the NTSB IIC of medical records revealed the pilot suffered a serious spinal injury. The pilot was admitted to a hospital for spinal surgery. The pilot of a second airplane, who transported the pilot to Anchorage, described him in extreme pain. This pilot also said the landing area had washed out, and was unsuitable for landing. The pilot did not return the NTSB Pilot/Operator report (6120.1/2) which was provided to him. The registered owner of the airplane did not return the NTSB Pilot/Operator report which was provided to him. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9018L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9018L), registered now, S/N 249-70, 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 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 249-70 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Gregory Gideon Hartman - Registered owner: Dwight D. Jones - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: BCV, BIRCHWOOD, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 400 total, 350 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken ## 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 19990906027899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990906027899A), Sep 6, 1999: Bbavia 7GCBC, Sleetmute, AK, Substantial damage. (.19) On September 6, 1999, about 1600 Alaska daylight time, a champion 7GCBC airplane, N9018L, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing on a gravel… ## Other investigations on N9018L (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 ANC74DAG82](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74DAG82), Dec 20, 1973: Champion 7GCBC (N9018L), Kodiak, 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.