American Champion 7GCBC Damaged in Utah Emergency Landing

An American Champion Aircraft 7GCBC, registration N400KB, sustained substantial damage after striking a tree and terrain during an emergency landing near Big Water, Utah, on May 1, 2026. The incident occurred at approximately 6:29 p.m. local time, according to National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration records.

The pilot sustained minor injuries; no fatalities were reported. The NTSB has classified the aircraft damage as substantial. The Aviation Safety Network also documented the event.

The cause of the emergency landing remains under investigation, and federal investigators have not yet released details on what prompted the off-field landing. The American Champion 7GCBC is a light, high-wing utility aircraft widely used for flight training and backcountry operations.