Champion 7GCBC accident near Nenana, Alaska, September 18, 2021
On September 18, 2021 at about 10:30 pm local time, a 1967 Champion 7GCBC, registered N6357N, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Nenana, Alaska (Blair Lake airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilots over application of the brakes during landing, which resulted in a nose-over.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 18, 2021 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Nenana, Alaska · Blair Lake · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Champion 7GCBC, built 1967 · all 7GCBCs on the register
- Registration
- N6357N · registry record · serial 95
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that while landing in gusty wind conditions, the airplane drifted to the right before touchdown. As the airplane “hit the ground”, he reduced the engine power, and applied the brakes. Subsequently, he over applied the brakes and the airplane nosed over coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and empennage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Nose over/nose down during landing defining event
- Loss of control on ground during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Brake › Incorrect use/operation
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Surface speed/braking › Incorrect use/operation
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 265 hours in all; 172 in this make and model
- Last flight review: March 14, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,503.4 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 22, 2021
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 SERIES (piston); 1,922 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 5ak3 North Pole AK at 10:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15/3, 1,530 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 8 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.69 inHg
- Observation at 2:56 pm from PAEI, 28 miles away
Weather report (METAR): PAEI 182256Z 19008G17KT 10SM CLR 07/M04 A2969 RMK AO2A SLP062 T00701044 $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on March 18, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Pictures | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.