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September 1, 1993 · Bellanca 7GCBC · N10987

Delta River, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 1, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Delta River, AK
Aircraft
Bellanca 7GCBC
Tail Number
N10987
Operator
Bernhard John P
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC93LA164

THE PILOT SAID HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF FROM AN UNPREPARED REMOTE SITE APPROXIMATELY 600 FEET LONG. JUST AFTER THE AIRPLANE GOT AIRBORNE IT STARTED TURNING TO THE RIGHT AND HE WAS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT SUFFICIENTLY BEFORE HITTING AN EMBANKMENT AND COMING TO A STOP IN THE BUSHES. HE SAID THE AIRPLANE WAS CLOSE TO ITS MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOTS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF.

Full Narrative

On August 31, 1993, at 2100 Alaska daylight time, the pilot of a wheel equipped Bellanca 7GCBC airplane, N10987, lost control and crashed into the bushes while attempting to takeoff from a remote landing area on the Delta River, and approximately 20 miles south of Delta Junction, Alaska. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The personal flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 at the time. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone interview on September 1, 1993, the pilot stated the following in part: "The purpose of the flight was to check out the area for future moose hunting. I landed at the area with no problem, then cut down some bushes and prepared about 600 feet for my takeoff. The airplane was pretty close to its maximum gross weight. I used two notches of flaps for the takeoff. Just after getting airborne, the airplane started turning to the right and I was not able to correct sufficiently before I hit an embankment and came to a stop in the bushes. The left main landing gear and the right wheel were torn off, both wings were damaged, and the tail and fuselage were bent."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 7GCBC
Tail NumberN10987
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBernhard John P
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 5 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingOvercast 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data