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October 3, 1999 · Bellanca 7GCBC · N4156Y

Anchorage, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 3, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Anchorage, AK
Aircraft
Bellanca 7GCBC
Tail Number
N4156Y
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC00LA001

The certificated private pilot, with one passenger aboard, was departing from the Lake Hood Airstrip. As the airplane climbed to about 100 feet above the runway, all engine power was lost. The airplane landed in an area of tundra-covered marsh, just off the end of the departure runway. During the landing roll, the airplane's main wheels contacted the soft, boggy terrain, and the airplane nosed over. A postaccident inspection of the airplane's carburetor revealed about 10cc of rusty-colored fluid, along with clean fuel in the airplane's carburetor float bowl. The rusty-colored fluid tested positive for water, when tested with water detection paste. The fluid sample was released to the accident pilot at his request. The accident pilot reported that the fluid contained therapeutic levels of fluoride, commonly found in tap water. The pilot did not submit the test results report to the NTSB.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection to remove all contaminated fuel from the fuel system. A factor associated with the accident was an unsuitable terrain condition for landing.

Full Narrative

On October 3, 1999, about 1510 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Bellanca 7GCBC airplane, N4156Y, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from the Lake Hood Airstrip, Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private pilot, and the one passenger aboard, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. During an on-scene interview with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge on October 3, the pilot reported that he was departing on runway 31. He reported that as the airplane climbed to about 100 feet above the runway, and while approaching the departure end of the runway, all engine power was lost. He said that he made an emergency landing in a tundra-covered marsh, just off the end of the departure runway. During the landing roll, the airplane's main wheels contacted the soft, boggy terrain, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, right lift-strut, and empennage. The airplane owner recovered the airplane from the accident site, and returned it to his parking tie-down area. On October 4, the IIC removed the engine carburetor, and found about 10cc of rusty-colored fluid, along with clean fuel in the airplane's carburetor float bowl. The rusty-colored fluid tested positive for water, when tested with water detection paste. At the request of the accident pilot, the fluid sample was returned to his possession. In a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on December 3, the accident pilot stated that an independent testing facility detected therapeutic levels of fluoride within the fluid sample. He added that the level of fluoride found in the sample were consistent with that found within local area tap water. The pilot did not submit the test results report to the NTSB.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:10 AKDT
Nearest AirportLake Hood Strip (0nm)
Runway31
Runway Length2200 ft
Runway Width70 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 7GCBC
Tail NumberN4156Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A20 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 43 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time02:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data