Aircraft Description
N9897Y is a 1962 Champion 7GCB, a single-engine reciprocating (piston) aircraft registered to Cline Braxton L in Wasilla, AK. This aircraft holds a standard airworthiness certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration on June 14, 1968. The registration certificate was issued on November 12, 2021. The registration is set to expire on November 30, 2028. Powered by a Lycoming 0-320 SERIES engine producing 180 horsepower, N9897Y is. The aircraft's Mode S transponder code is ADCFF7 (hex), used for ADS-B identification and flight tracking. The FAA registry record for N9897Y was last updated on June 23, 2023. AviatorDB monitors aircraft positions through ADS-B surveillance data and updates records as new position data is received.
American Champion Aircraft, based in Rochester, Wisconsin, produces the Scout, Decathlon, and Citabria series of aerobatic and tailwheel aircraft. These fabric-covered aircraft continue a lineage dating back to the original Aeronca Champion. AviatorDB tracks 1,848 Champion aircraft currently registered in the FAA database, including the 7GCB model.
AviatorDB has found no NTSB accident or incident reports involving N9897Y. AviatorDB cross-references all FAA registration data with NTSB accident and incident reports, providing a comprehensive safety overview for every registered aircraft in the United States.
Registered Owner
Powerplant & Avionics
NTSB Accident History (3)
| Date | NTSB # | Damage | Highest Injury | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 11, 2007 | ANC07LA064 | Substantial | None | The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in the right main landing gear collapsing during takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident were rough/uneven terrain, and the collapse of the main landing gear. |
| Jun 29, 2003 | ANC03LA063 | Substantial | None | 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. |
| May 30, 1992 | ANC92LA082 | Substantial | Minor | THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO KEEP THE AIRCRAFT ON THE STEP AND HE ALLOWED IT TO BECOME AIRBORNE. THE PILOT SUBSEQUENTLY LOST DEPTH PERCEPTION, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER RATE OF DESCENT, RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING AND COLLAPSE OF THE FLOAT LANDING GEAR. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GLASSY WATER CONDITION OF THE LANDING SURFACE. |
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in the right main landing gear collapsing during takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident were rough/uneven terrain, and the collapse of the main landing gear.
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.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO KEEP THE AIRCRAFT ON THE STEP AND HE ALLOWED IT TO BECOME AIRBORNE. THE PILOT SUBSEQUENTLY LOST DEPTH PERCEPTION, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER RATE OF DESCENT, RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING AND COLLAPSE OF THE FLOAT LANDING GEAR. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GLASSY WATER CONDITION OF THE LANDING SURFACE.
Additional Details
Data Source
Data provided by the US Federal Aviation Administration. View on FAA.gov
Last updated: 2026-05-01 01:32:20 UTC