According to multiple witnesses at the airport in Chugiak, Alaska, they observed the Champion 7ECA perform several touch-and-go landings throughout the late morning and early afternoon on the day of the accident.
They added that the pilot then landed and taxied to a local fuel vendor’s facility and refueled. The pilot then departed.
Two witnesses who were near the departure runway reported that, after the airplane departed, they heard the engine making a “pop pop” sound and that it then appeared to lose power.
Another witness near the runway reported hearing the engine “sputtering” and added that the airplane appeared to stall.
All the witnesses reported that they observed the airplane turn right steeply, that its right wing and nose dropped abruptly, and that it then descended in a steep, nose-down attitude, consistent with an aerodynamic stall.
A post-impact fire immediately ensued, which destroyed the airplane. The pilot was killed in the accident.
A post-accident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
The witnesses reported hearing noises consistent with an engine misfiring and it was likely losing power, however the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the post-accident examination.
After the loss of engine power, the pilot attempted a steep turn at low altitude, during which he failed to maintain proper airspeed and exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a loss of control at too low of an altitude to recover.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a steep low-altitude turn following a loss of engine power, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control at too low of an altitude to recover.
NTSB Identification: ANC16FA057
This August 2016 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
The cause of this accident seems to be laid at the pilots doorstep. I wonder if anyone looked at the fuel vendor that fueled the aircraft. Yes, the pilot should have done a run up and the associated followup checks. For that misstep he was at fault. I hate to see these incomplete reports that are quick to lay fault with the pilot. I’d bet the ranch there was water in that fuel!
Probably fuel contamination, probably should have done a 5 minute run up , then checked the sumps for debris or water, did another standard run up and took off.