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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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NTSB Report

August 24, 2002 · Bellanca 7ECA · N9994Y

Gakona, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 24, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Gakona, AK
Aircraft
Bellanca 7ECA
Tail Number
N9994Y
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC02LA120

The private certificated pilot was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane at a remote airport. During the landing roll, the pilot said the airplane hit a bump on the surface of the runway, which threw the airplane upward and to the right. The airplane's right main landing gear tire then entered an area of tall, wet grass along the right edge of the runway, pulling the airplane further to the right. The pilot said he applied the brakes, and the airplane nosed down along the right side of the runway. The airplane received damage to the propeller and the left wingtip. A postaccident inspection of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed the left wing received damage to at least two wing ribs.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, and his excessive use of the airplane's brakes during the landing roll, which resulted in the airplane nosing down. A contributing factor in the accident was wet, high grass along the runway edge.

Full Narrative

On August 24, 2002, about 1345 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Bellanca 7ECA airplane, N9994Y, sustained substantial damage when the airplane nosed down during landing at the Chistochina Airport, about 23 miles north-northeast of Gakona, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14, CFR Part 91 visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Gulkana Airport, Glennallen, Alaska, about 1245. On September 4, 2002, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), notified the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), that the pilot called her office on August 29, to report damage to the airplane. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB IIC on September 4, the pilot reported that during the landing roll at the Chistochina Airport, the airplane encountered a bump on the surface of the runway which threw the airplane upward and to the right. The airplane's right main landing gear tire then entered an area of tall, wet grass along the right edge of the runway, pulling the airplane further to the right. The pilot said he applied the brakes, and the airplane nosed down along the right side of the runway. The airplane received damage to the propeller and the left wingtip. On September 16, the FAA inspector reported that she examined the airplane at the Chistochina Airport on September 9. She indicated the left wing received damage to at least two wing ribs.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:45 AKDT
Nearest AirportChistochina (0nm)
Runway19
Runway Length2060 ft
Runway Width90 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 7ECA
Tail NumberN9994Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200 · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data