Single-engine piston

N8978R

1960 Champion 7GCB

Registered 1 NTSB/FAA record
Built
1960
Serial
7GCB-11
Class
Single-engine piston
Engines
Continental A&C65 series
Status
Current as of October 2026
Registered owner
Co-owned · sign in to see
Based
Wray, CO
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Registration record

N8978R on the FAA register

Type
1960 Champion 7GCB
Serial
7GCB-11
Engines
Continental A&C65 series
Registered owner
Co-owned — the name of an individual registrant is shown to signed-in users. Sign in
Wray, CO
Certificate issued
2000-03-07
Airworthiness date
1960-06-03
Registration expires
2029-12-31
Airworthiness class
Restricted
Mode S (hex)
AC62D5
Mode S (octal)
53061325
Seats (type)
2
Weight class
up to 12,499 lb
Range (type)
411 nm
Cruise (type)
103 kt
Status
Current as of October 2026
Registry history

Timeline

  • 2029-12-31
    Registration expires (renewal due).
  • 2000-03-07
    Certificate of registration issued as N8978R.
  • 1989-05-15
    Accident at Copalis Beach, WA; damage: substantial.
  • 1960-06-03
    Airworthiness date on the current FAA record (restricted category).
Overview

About N8978R

N8978R is a 1960 Champion 7GCB, serial number 7GCB-11. It is registered to co-owners in Wray, Colorado. The current certificate of registration was issued on March 7, 2000 and expires on December 31, 2029.

The FAA aircraft reference file describes the type as a single-engine piston, one Continental A&C65 series engine and 2 seats. Published figures for the type give a cruise speed of about 103 knots and a range of about 411 nm; actual performance depends on configuration, load and conditions. Its airworthiness certificate is restricted category, dated June 3, 1960.

N8978R has 1 accident/incident record on file (most serious damage: substantial); details are below.

Cruise
103 kt
Range
411 nm
Power / thrust (each)
150
Takeoff over 50 ft
617 ft
Landing over 50 ft
718 ft
Fuel burn
9 gph

Published figures for the Champion 7GCB type. They describe the model, not this airframe's equipment or condition.

Safety record

Accident & incident history

1989-05-15 Accident · Copalis Beach, WA Damage: Substantial NTSB · SEA89LA089
Reported aircraft: Champion 7GCB
Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PERFORM THE NECESSARY PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION WHICH RESULTED IN THE SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT SAND BAR.

Sources: NTSB aviation accident database and CAROL case system, FAA preliminary accident & incident notices. Search accident records

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Browse: Aircraft registered in Colorado· Registry by state· FAA registry stats

Data: FAA Aircraft Registry (October 2026), including deregistered aircraft; NTSB and FAA accident data; fyiAero listing history. Individual owners' names are shown to signed-in users and street addresses are never shown. Type figures are published specifications, not this aircraft's.