Champion 7GCBC N5267X

Summary

On 31 August 2025 at about 22:00 local time, a Champion 7GCBC registered N5267X was involved in an accident near Sutton, Alaska, 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.

Date

31 August 2025 at 22:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Sutton, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

61.7057, -148.3133

Aircraft

Champion 7GCBC

Registration

N5267X

Category

Airplane

Year built

1969

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Palmer → Palmer

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC25LA100

Nobody was injured.

The airplane’s encounter with a downdraft while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a forced landing and collision with terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, while on approach to a remote airstrip in an area of mountainous terrain, he encountered a strong downdraft that forced the airplane into an area of rough and uneven terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and lift struts. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.