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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

September 2, 1995 · Champion 7GCBC · N9033L

Big Lake, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 2, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Big Lake, AK
Aircraft
Champion 7GCBC
Tail Number
N9033L
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC95LA155

THE PILOT WAS LANDING ON A LAKE IN A FLOAT EQUIPPED AIRPLANE AND WAS PERFORMING A CURVING APPROACH TO GLASSY WATER. DURING THE LANDING APPROACH, THE AIRPLANE DEVELOPED A HIGH RATE OF DESCENT. JUST BEFORE TOUCHDOWN, THE PILOT ADDED ENGINE POWER, BUT THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD ON THE WATER. THE AIRPLANE RECEIVED DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FLOAT, LEFT FLOAT STRUT, AND FUSELAGE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER RATE OF DESCENT DURING THE APPROACH TO LAND, AND HIS MISJUDGMENT OF ALTITUDE TO FLARE FOR LANDING ON GLASSY WATER. THE GLASSY WATER CONDITION WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

Full Narrative

On September 2, 1995, about 1530 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Champion 7GCBC, N9033L, crashed during landing on a lake, about 6 miles southwest of Big Lake, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Lake Hood Seaplane base, Anchorage, Alaska, about 1500. The pilot reported that he was landing on 7 Mile Lake in a northeasterly direction and was performing a curving approach to glassy water. During the landing approach, the airplane developed a high rate of descent. Just before touchdown, the pilot added engine power but the airplane experienced a hard landing on the water. The airplane received damage to the left float, left float strut, and fuselage.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftChampion 7GCBC
Tail NumberN9033L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 9 kt
Visibility90 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data