Aviation Crash Map

Champion 7GCB N8978R

15 May 1989 · Copalis Beach, Washington, United States · No injuries

Summary

On 15 May 1989 at about 18:50 local time, a Champion 7GCB registered N8978R, operated by Robert S. Stone, was involved in an accident near Copalis Beach, Washington, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 18:50
Classification
Accident
Location
Copalis Beach, Washington, United States
Nearest airport
Copalis State (S16)
Coordinates
47.0909, -124.1310
Aircraft
Champion 7GCB
Registration
N8978R
Category
Airplane
Engines
1
Operator
Robert S. Stone
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Personal
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Route
Olympia → Copalis Beach
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
SEA89LA089

People

Nobody was injured.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
2 0 0 0 2

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other Champion 7 accidents

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
2 Jun 1989 Champion 7GCBC
N1652G
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States Barnstormers FLT. Signs, Inc No injuries -
5 Aug 1989 Champion 7KCAB
N5084X
Shirley, New York, United States Brookfield Aviation, Inc. Minor injuries -
24 Jul 1989 Champion 7GCBC
N6366N
Alexander Creek, Alaska, United States
no coordinates
- No injuries -
16 May 1989 Champion 7EC
N7525E
St George, Utah, United States Harrer, Darryl L. No injuries -
21 Jan 1989 Champion 7EC
N7596E
Luxemburg, Minnesota, United States - Fatal 1
4 Jun 1989 Champion 7GCBC
N7545F
Monticello, Utah, United States Robson, Ralph Gordon Serious injuries -

All 1,471 records for this type

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
18 Nov 1989 Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415D
N3354H
Vancouver, Washington, United States - No injuries -
18 Nov 1989 Cessna 140
N2070V
Amboy, Washington, United States Larry Cahoon No injuries -
21 Nov 1989 Cessna 172
N63496
Bremerton, Washington, United States Flight Tech, Inc Minor injuries -
29 Nov 1989 Cessna A-185-F
N1920Q
Seattle, Washington, United States - No injuries -
29 Nov 1989 Hiller UH-12E
N9762C
Raymond, Washington, United States Glacier Helicopters No injuries -
11 Dec 1989 Aero Commander 600 S-2D
N1767S
Walla Walla, Washington, United States - No injuries -

All 170,864 records in United States