# NTSB DEN87LA082: Champion 7GCBC, N1653G, Rock Rover, WY, April 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1987, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Rock Rover, WY
- Coordinates: 41.730991, -105.969367 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7310&lon=-105.9694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17188
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17188/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA082

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Overrun, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - open field
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - abort - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS USING A PASTURE FOR TAKEOFF. THE WINDS WERE CALM AND THE TAKEOFF RUN WAS SLIGHTLY UPHILL. THERE WAS A LOW SPOT IN THE PASTURE WHICH WAS SOFT FROM MELTING SNOW. THE ACFT DID NOT REACH TAKEOFF SPEED BEFORE REACHING THE END OF THE PASTURE. DURING THE OVERRUN, THE ACFT CONTACTED A ROCK AND FLIPPED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1653G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1653G-1992-04-25), registration cancelled 1992-04-25, S/N 125 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7GCBC
- Registry model: [Champion 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcbc) (registry code 21101PK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 126
- Airframe hours: 868
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Budd B. Palmer
- Registered owner: Budd B. Palmer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 16, 1986, 7 hours before
- Airport: runway 27, 1,000 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 200 total, 200 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 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 19870403038869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870403038869A), Apr 3, 1987: Bbavia 7GCBC, Rock River, WY, Destroyed. The aircraft encountered a soft spot in a pasture during takeoff. The plane failed to lift off and nosed over.

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.

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