Champion 7ECA
Soldotna, AK, May 6, 2008
Event Information
| Date | May 6, 2008 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| Location | Soldotna, AK |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 60.53167, -150.99945 |
| Airport | Private |
| Highest Injury | SERS |
| NTSB Number | ANC08LA061 |
| Event ID | 20080508X00631 |
Aircraft
| Make | Champion |
| Model | 7ECA |
| Registration # | N9650S |
| Owner | James Hanson |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 1 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to remove the rudder gust lock prior to the flight.
Full Narrative
On May 5, 2008, about 1608 Alaska daylight time, a Champion 7ECA airplane, N9650S, received substantial damage when it collided with trees during takeoff-initial climb from a private airstrip in Soldotna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal local flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo private certificated pilot received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on May 7, the pilot said he had forgotten to remove the rudder gust lock prior to takeoff, and that without rudder control during takeoff, the airplane drifted into the trees. He said the airplane received substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.