N466RV

Substantial
None

CHAMPION 7GCBS/N: 166

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, June 23, 2012
NTSB Number
ANC12CA057
Location
Tyonek, AK
Event ID
20120625X31218
Coordinates
60.991664, -151.658340
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall while maneuvering.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N466RV
Make
CHAMPION
Serial Number
166
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1962
Model / ICAO
7GCBCH7B
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
HICKS STEPHEN J
Address
8680 SOMMERS PL
Status
Deregistered
City
ANCHORAGE
State / Zip Code
AK 99502-3910
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot stated that he was flying his tailwheel-equipped airplane at 400 feet above ground level when he spotted two bears in a swamp. He said that as he was turning left to look at the bears, the nose of the airplane dropped rapidly, and the airplane descended vertically. During the pilot's efforts to recover from the aerodynamic stall, the airplane impacted terrain, sustaining substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC12CA057