Champion 7GCAA N9632S

Summary

On 3 March 2020 at about 16:30 local time, a Champion 7GCAA registered N9632S, operated by Sarah Shaw, was involved in an accident near Sterling, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 March 2020 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Sterling, Alaska, United States

Nearest airport

Dutch Landing Strip (88AK)

Coordinates

60.5391, -150.7894

Aircraft

Champion 7GCAA

Registration

N9632S

Category

Airplane

Year built

1966

Engines

1

Operator

Sarah Shaw

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC20CA029

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance during approach, which resulted in the airplane impacting an area of deep snow. A factor associated with the accident was flat light conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

In her written statement the pilot reported that while landing at a remote snow-covered airstrip, she inadvertently touched down about 20 ft short, and into an area of deep powder snow. The airplane subsequently nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations. Additionally, the pilot noted that flat light conditions made it very difficult to discern any topographical features of the airstrip and snow-covered terrain. The pilot did not submit a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.