# NTSB SEA89LA089: Champion 7GCB, N8978R, Copalis Beach, WA, May 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 15, 1989, 11:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Copalis Beach, WA
- Coordinates: 47.0909, -124.130966 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0909&lon=-124.1310&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41015
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41015/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA089

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PERFORM THE NECESSARY PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION WHICH RESULTED IN THE SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT SAND BAR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear strut - overload
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - sand bar

## Analysis

THE PILOT LANDED ON SOFT SAND ON A CLOSED BEACH AIRSTRIP, RESULTING IN AN OVERSTRESS FRACTURE OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUT DURING LANDING ROLL. THE WINGS AND FUSELAGE WERE DAMAGED BY IMPACT WITH THE GROUND DURING AN ABRUPT SWERVE AFTER THE LANDING GEAR STRUT COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8978R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8978R), registered now, S/N 7GCB-11, 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: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7GCB
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert S. Stone
- Registered owner: Robert S Stone
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: OLYMPIA, WA
- Destination: S16, COPALIS BEACH, WA
- Airport: S16, Copalis State, runway 15, 5,000 × 150 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired; flight hours: 2,600 total, 125 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 230 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HQM, 14 nm away

## 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 19890515017419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890515017419A), May 15, 1989: Bbavia 7GCB, Copalis, WA, Substantial damage. Landed in soft dry sand at a closed beach airstrip. Appears left main gear dug in and collapsed. NOTAM on airstrip

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.