# NTSB LAX84LA249: Champion 7GCAA, N6726N, Fort Bidwell, CA, April 9, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 9, 1984, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Fort Bidwell, CA
- Coordinates: 41.879993, -120.109382 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8800&lon=-120.1094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24230
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA249
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24230/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA249

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT THE WX BLOCKED SEVERAL OF THE MOUNTAIN PASSES ALONG THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT. WHEN THE WX CONTINUED TO DETERIORATE THE PLT LANDED IN A FIELD. THE MAIN GEAR 'DUG-IN AND THE ACFT FLIPPED ON IT'S BACK.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6726N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6726N), registered now, S/N 167, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHAMPION 7GCAA
- Registry model: [Champion 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcaa) (registry code 21101N8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 167
- Airframe hours: 1650
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard W. Isakson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 6, 1984
- Departed: 533, MADRAS, OR
- Destination: LKV, LAKEVIEW, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,214 total, 297 in this make and model, 592 as pilot in command, 192 in the last 90 days, 68 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °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 19840409022899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840409022899A), Apr 9, 1984: Bbavia 7GCAA, Ft Bidwell, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot made precautionary landing because of deteriorating weather and airplane flipped on its back.

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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