No fatalities

Floatplane Stalls After Takeoff, Impacts Water

Soldotna, AK, United States

On August 18, 2010, a CHAMPION 7EC operated by IVERSON JAMES P was involved in an aviation accident near Soldotna, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the initial climb. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

A single-engine floatplane stalled during a climbing turn shortly after a calm-water takeoff, impacting the water nose-low. The aircraft came to rest nearly submerged; the pilot and passenger exited unassisted. Structural damage included bent wing struts and detached floats.

Accident

Shortly after a calm-water takeoff, a single-engine floatplane stalled while executing a climbing turn. The aircraft subsequently struck the water in a nose-low attitude. After the impact, the airplane came to rest with the majority of its structure submerged, though the empennage remained above the surface.

Injuries and Evacuation

The pilot and a passenger were able to exit the aircraft without assistance. No injuries were reported in the source.

Damage

The accident resulted in structural damage to the airplane. The wing struts were bent, and both floats were torn from their mounting points.

Pilot Report

The pilot stated that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane that contributed to the event.

Contributing factors

PilotAirspeed — Not attained/maintained

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 18 Aug 2010 CHAMPION 7EC accident near Soldotna, AK?

A single-engine floatplane stalled during a climbing turn shortly after a calm-water takeoff, impacting the water nose-low. The aircraft came to rest nearly submerged; the pilot and passenger exited unassisted. Structural damage included bent wing struts and detached floats.

Were there any fatalities in the 18 Aug 2010 CHAMPION 7EC accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 18 Aug 2010 involved a CHAMPION 7EC, operated by IVERSON JAMES P, at Soldotna, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the initial climb.