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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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October 28, 1995 · Bellanca 8GCBC · N88417

Fairbanks, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 28, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Fairbanks, AK
Aircraft
Bellanca 8GCBC
Tail Number
N88417
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC96TA011

The pilot attempted to land on a gravel airstrip with approximately 4 inches of snow cover. A previous flight had successfully landed at the airstrip in an identical aircraft (except with larger tires) but indicated that the snow was 'a definite factor' for landing. The pilot reported that on his landing attempt, the airplane '...sank in which caused a bounce. I...did not add power to smooth the bounce or go around.' Following the bounce, the aircraft touched down in unbroken snow and immediately nosed over.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing. The snow-covered landing surface and the pilot's decision not to perform a go-around were factors.

Full Narrative

On October 28, 1995, at 1415 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Bellanca 8GCBC airplane, N88417, registered to and operated by the Alaska Division of Fish and Game of Fairbanks, Alaska, nosed over during landing at Slide Creek airstrip, on Dry Creek about 60 miles south-southeast of Fairbanks near the Gold King airstrip. The public use flight, operating under 14 CFR 91, had departed from Chena Marina in Fairbanks. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed. The private pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot reported: "...Another pilot landed on a gravel bar strip near the mouth of Slide Creek...in an identical aircraft except his had larger tires. The strip...has a surface of large gravel that was cleared long ago. It has good, clear approaches from either end and a moderate grade. The other pilot indicated that there was about 4 inches of snow on the strip and that it was a definite factor to be considered for landing...." "While enroute...I made a low pass over the Slide Creek strip to inspect the surface and wind conditions....Bare gravel was visible in the tracks the other plane had left. I noted that he had landed uphill. I also looked at the windsock at the Neuman's strip (about 2 miles upstream) which indicated light southerly winds." "...[A] third aircraft landed to the north, got out and checked the winds, and stated that winds were light (maybe 5 knots) from the north on the ground at the strip." "Winds at altitude were...southerly. I elected to land uphill, to the south. I...made a normal approach to the strip. I carried a little power in as I started to flare. The airplane did not flare and sank in which caused a bounce. I did not think that the bounce was serious and did not add power to smooth the bounce or go around. When I touched down, I was a little right of the tracks (about a tire width), but in unbroken snow. The tail of the aircraft was up and the plane immediately flipped over and came to rest on its back...." On the accident report, the pilot made the following recommendations as to how the accident could have been prevented: "1) choose alternate landing area 2)go around after less than perfect approach on soft fields".

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 AKDT
Nearest AirportDRYCREEK (0nm)
Runway15
Runway Length1100 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 8GCBC
Tail NumberN88417
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-C2E · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 5 kt
Visibility99 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point19 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data