On June 20, 1992, a Champion 7GCBC (registration N1812G) operated by Anderson, Kirk M. & Glen H. was involved in an aviation accident near Prosser, WA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: INADEQUATE INFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION AND AIRSPEED WAS NOT MAINTAINED. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: AN UNCONTROLLED STALL/SPIN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A student pilot performing a low-altitude turn around a house entered a spin after a sudden increase in bank angle and nose drop. The airplane collided with terrain following one rotation. Post-crash inspection found no mechanical failure.
Witness Report
A witness reported that the student pilot frequently flew around the witness's house to wave hello by wagging the airplane's wings. On the day of the accident, the airplane was approximately 200 feet above ground level (AGL) and executing a shallow right turn around the house. The witness observed that when the airplane was about 180 degrees through the turn, the bank angle suddenly increased and the nose dropped. The airplane then completed one full spin rotation before colliding with terrain in a nose-down attitude.
Post-Crash Inspection
During the post-crash inspection, no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction was found. The aircraft's structure and systems showed no pre-impact anomalies that could have contributed to the loss of control.