On June 29, 2003, a Champion 7GCB (registration N9897Y) was involved in an aviation accident near Pilot Point, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and his failure to maintain control of the airplane that resulted in the left wing striking the ground during the landing roll. A factor contributing to the accident was the presence of wind gusts. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A commercial pilot landing on a remote beach experienced a gust that lifted the right wing, causing the left wing to strike the sand. The airplane sustained structural damage to the left wing and left elevator.
Accident Details
A commercial certificated pilot was performing a landing on a remote beach area. The landing was oriented toward the east. The pilot reported that the wind during the approach and landing was from the east-southeast at a speed of 10 to 15 knots. Additionally, there were occasional higher gusts that came from the south. During the landing roll, after the airplane had touched down on the sand, a gust of wind from the south lifted the right wing. As a consequence, the left wing contacted the sand. The airplane sustained structural damage as a result of this contact. Specifically, the damage was to the left wing and the left elevator. The pilot described the wind conditions as a 10 to 15 knot wind from the east-southeast with occasional higher gusts from the south. The incident occurred during the landing roll on a remote beach.