# NTSB SEA99LA170: Champion 7BCM, N2841E, Coolin, ID, September 19, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 18, 1999, 18:40 local (Sep 19, 1999, 01:40 UTC) - Place: Coolin, ID - Coordinates: 48.599304, -116.860214 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5993&lon=-116.8602&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 2, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47411 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA170 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47411/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA170 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions. Factors include variable, gusty crosswinds, and trees along the sides of the runway. ## Analysis The pilot overflew the airstrip and observed that the windsocks appeared to be indicating calm winds at the surface. But, according to the pilot, during the touchdown, the aircraft was hit by a strong crosswind gust. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control, and the aircraft departed the runway and impacted trees growing along the edge of the airstrip. After the accident, the pilot exited the aircraft and observed that there were strong, variable, gusty winds blowing. He also noticed that the strong winds were intermittently replaced by periods of calm. The investigation revealed no evidence of control system malfunction or anomaly. ## Factual narrative On September 18, 1999, approximately 1840 Pacific daylight time, a Champion 7BCM, N2841E, impacted trees after departing the runway during the landing roll at Cavanaugh Bay Airstrip, Coolin, Idaho. The Airline Transport Pilot and his passenger were not injured, but the aircraft, which was owned by a relative of the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed Sandpoint Airport, Sandpoint, Idaho, about 30 minutes earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. The pilot said that he overflew the airport before landing, and both windsocks appeared to show a calm wind. But, according to the pilot, just after touching down, the aircraft encountered a gusty crosswind and veered to the right. As the pilot attempted to compensate for the crosswind, the aircraft departed the right side of the runway and impacted trees growing near the edge of the airstrip. After impacting the trees, the pilot exited the aircraft and noticed that there were strong, gusty, variable winds. These gusty wind conditions were intermittently replaced with periods of calm. The investigation revealed no evidence of control system malfunction or anomaly. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2841E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2841E), registered now, S/N 7AC-6424, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7BCM - Registry model: [Champion AERONCA 7BCM](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-aeronca-7bcm) (registry code 2110144) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7AC-6424 - Airframe hours: 2578 - Engines: Continental C85-8 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bruce C. Salerno - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 27, 1999, 10 hours before - Departed: S86, SAND POINT, ID - Destination: 66S - Airport: 66S, Cavanaugh Bay, runway 33, 3,100 × 120 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 5,480 total, 291 in this make and model, 4,623 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °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 19990918044469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990918044469A), Sep 18, 1999: Bbavia 7BCM, Coolin, ID, No damage. (-23) Airman reports that upon landing he encountered a cross-wind gust that caused loss of control, resulting in a/c departing runway and striking trees. 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.