N8976R – CHAMPION 7HC – 2011-06-16 NTSB Accident Report

On June 16, 2011, a Champion 7HC (N8976R) was involved in an incident near Kenai, AK. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, resulting in the collapse of the main landing gear, and a nose over.

The solo airline transport pilot was landing on a beach when the airplane struck a rock, resulting in a nose over and separation of the right main landing gear. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing during the accident sequence. The pilot made a low pass over the landing area, and thought it looked suitable for landing. Upon landing, he said the rocks on the beach were larger than they appeared from the air, and he inadvertently struck one. The pilot said there were no known mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. In a written statement to the NTSB, the pilot said he should have picked a better place to land.

This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC11CA049. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N8976R.