Champion 7BCM accident near Coolin, Idaho, September 19, 1999
On September 19, 1999 at about 1:40 am local time, a Champion 7BCM, registered N2841E, was substantially damaged in an accident near Coolin, Idaho (Cavanaugh Bay airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions. Factors include variable, gusty crosswinds, and trees along the sides of the runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 19, 1999 · about 1:40 am local time
- Place
- Coolin, Idaho · Cavanaugh Bay · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Champion 7BCM · all 7BCMs on the register
- Registration
- N2841E · registry record · serial 7AC-6424
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot overflew the airstrip and observed that the windsocks appeared to be indicating calm winds at the surface. But, according to the pilot, during the touchdown, the aircraft was hit by a strong crosswind gust. The pilot was unable to maintain directional control, and the aircraft departed the runway and impacted trees growing along the edge of the airstrip. After the accident, the pilot exited the aircraft and observed that there were strong, variable, gusty winds blowing. He also noticed that the strong winds were intermittently replaced by periods of calm. The investigation revealed no evidence of control system malfunction or anomaly.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 5,480 hours in all; 291 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 4,623 as pilot in command; 349 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,578 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 27, 1999; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,220 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C85-8 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: S86 Sand Point ID at 1:10 am
- Destination: 66S
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 33, 3,100 ft by 120 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.