Nose Over: Bellanca 7GCBC, N822TT, accident occurred January 16, 2019 in Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

https://registry.faa.gov/N822TT


Location: Townsend, MT
Accident Number: WPR19CA069
Date & Time: 01/16/2019, 1600 MST
Registration: N822TT
Aircraft: Champion 7GCBC
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Nose over/nose down
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

The private pilot reported that during the local pleasure flight the engine started to run rough and he thought that it was as a result of carburetor ice. The pilot applied carburetor heat and after about 3 minutes the engine still did not seem like it was running smoothly. The pilot initiated a climb, however the airplane would not gain altitude so he opted to make a precautionary landing on a sandbar in a river. After touch down on the rough and bumpy surface, the pilot applied braking action. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted after the wheels dug into an area of soft sand.

The wings and the left side lift strut were substantially damaged.

The pilot did not report any mechanical failures or malfunctions with the engine or airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The nearest weather reporting facility was located about 27 nautical miles to the northwest of the accident site. About the time of the accident, the reported temperature of 30oF and dew point of 16oF was at the edge of the range on the carburetor probability chart of icing at glide and cruise power.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 30, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 12/20/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 03/30/2018
Flight Time:  185.6 hours (Total, all aircraft), 56.8 hours (Total, this make and model), 185 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 45 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 35 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Champion
Registration: N822TT
Model/Series: 7GCBC No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1972
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 351-72
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 10/08/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1850 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 57 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 2010 Hours
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 150 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KHLN, 3877 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 27 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2253 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 310°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 12000 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 29.94 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: -1°C / -9°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point:  Helena, MT (KHLN)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Helena, MT (KHLN)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1400 MST
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude:  46.308056, -111.537778 (est)