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NTSB Report

April 18, 1997 · Bellanca 8GCBC · N333HT

Palmer, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 18, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Palmer, AK
Aircraft
Bellanca 8GCBC
Tail Number
N333HT
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC97LA057

The pilot was landing a tail-wheel equipped airplane on a remote, 900 foot long gravel area. Just after touchdown, the pilot applied right rudder pressure. The airplane began to skid on the gravel surface, and then nosed over. After the accident, a can of spray wax was observed lodged under the right rudder pedal. The pilot indicated that when he applied right rudder pressure, the wedged spray can allowed the rudder pedal to pivot forward and activate the right toe brake.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate preflight, and a foreign object (can) that became jammed under the rudder pedal, which resulted in an inadvertent activation of the right brake.

Full Narrative

On April 17, 1997, about 1940 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Bellanca 8GCBC, N333HT, crashed during landing in a remote area, about 22 miles southeast of Palmer, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Merrill Field Airport, Anchorage, Alaska, about 1855. On April 21, 1997, at 0840, the pilot reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), that he was landing on a 900 foot long gravel area, located near Lake George, Alaska, and the Knick Glacier. He had landed at that location numerous times, and at the time of the accident, the wind conditions were calm. The pilot landed toward the south and just after touchdown, he applied right rudder pressure. The airplane began to skid on the gravel surface, and then nosed over. The airplane received damage to the right wing tip, the left wing lift strut, the vertical stabilizer, and the rudder. After the airplane was turned back over onto its landing gear, a can of spray wax was observed lodged under the right rudder pedal. The pilot indicated that when he applied right rudder pressure, the wedged spray can allowed the rudder pedal to pivot forward, and activate the right toe brake.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:40 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 8GCBC
Tail NumberN333HT
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-C2E · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility100 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data