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October 30, 2004 · Bellanca 8GCBC · N86901

Skwentna, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 30, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Skwentna, AK
Aircraft
Bellanca 8GCBC
Tail Number
N86901
Operator
Preston Rudderow
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC05CA012

The private certificated pilot was landing on a snow-covered gravel bar. The pilot said that prior to landing, he made two passes over the site and visually checked the condition of the landing site before the accident landing. He said that during the landing roll, the main landing gear tires broke through the top layer of deep crusted snow, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained structural damage to the left wing and rudder. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area, which resulted in a nose over during the landing roll. A factor associated with the accident was deep crusted snow.

Full Narrative

On October 30, 2004, about 1500 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Bellanca 8GCBC airplane, N86901, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during the landing roll at a remote off-airport site, located about 9 miles south of Skwentna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo private certificated pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Merrill Field Airport, Anchorage, Alaska, about 1415. No flight plan was filed, nor was one required. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on November 1, the pilot reported that he was landing on a snow-covered gravel bar. The pilot said that prior to landing, he made two passes over the site and visually checked the condition of the landing site before the accident landing. He said that during the landing roll, the main landing gear tires broke through the top layer of deep crusted snow, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained structural damage to the left wing and rudder. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 8GCBC
Tail NumberN86901
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPreston Rudderow
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-C2E · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data