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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

September 14, 2000 · Champion 7GCBC · N9654S

Sparrevohn, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 14, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Sparrevohn, AK
Aircraft
Champion 7GCBC
Tail Number
N9654S
Operator
Gary R Brown
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC00LA135

The certificated commercial pilot started a southwesterly takeoff run from a 1,500 feet long, remote sand bar. Just after lift-off, as the airplane started to climb, a strong gust of wind from the right lifted the right wing, and rolled the airplane about 90 degrees. As he applied full right aileron to correct for the roll, the airplane's wings leveled, but that it was in an uncontrolled decent. The airplane continued to descend and struck an embankment. It sustained substantial damage to the wings, wing lift struts, and fuselage. The pilot said that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors associated with the accident were variable winds, and a crosswind.

Full Narrative

On September 14, 2000, about 1530 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Champion 7GCBC airplane, N9654S, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from an off airport site, about 40 miles east of Sparrevohn, Alaska, at 61 degrees 01 minutes north latitude, 154 degrees 08 minutes west longitude. The solo certificated commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated about 1200, from the Birchwood Airport, Chugiak, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on October 1, the pilot reported that he started a southwesterly takeoff run from a 1,500 feet long remote sand bar. He said that just after lift-off, as the airplane started to climb, a strong gust of wind from the right lifted the right wing, and rolled the airplane about 90 degrees. He said that as he applied full right aileron to correct for the roll, the airplane's wings leveled, but that it was in an uncontrolled decent. The airplane continued to descend and struck an embankment. It sustained substantial damage to the wings, wing lift struts, and fuselage. The pilot said that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Flight

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

Aircraft

AircraftChampion 7GCBC
Tail NumberN9654S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGary R Brown
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 10 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data