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June 20, 2008 · Bellanca 7GCBC · N1163E

Chugiak, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 20, 2008
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Chugiak, AK
Aircraft
Bellanca 7GCBC
Tail Number
N1163E
Operator
Randy Coyne
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC08LA082

The pilot, seated in the front seat of a tailwheel and tundra tire-equipped airplane, landed on the edge of an asphalt portion of the runway, and then rolled onto a gravel portion of the runway. At that time, the airplane immediately veered about 45 degrees to the left. He applied right rudder and right aileron, but no directional correction occurred. The flight instructor reported that as the pilot was applying right aileron control input, he put hand pressure on the rear control stick to the right, but he noted that the pilot already had full right control deflection. The pilot applied full power to abort the landing, but then decided to pull the engine power to idle. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and collided with a berm. The pilot did not have a tailwheel endorsement. A certificated flight instructor who had a tailwheel endorsement, was seated in the rear seat of the airplane, but was unable to gain control of the airplane before it struck the berm.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight instructor's lack of remedial action to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in a collision with a berm. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, and his lack of tailwheel experience.

Full Narrative

On June 19, 2008, about 2030 Alaska daylight time, a tailwheel and tundra tire-equipped Bellanca 7GCBC airplane, N1163E, sustained substantial damage when it veered off the runway, and collided with a berm while landing at the Birchwood Airport, Chugiak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area instructional flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane, utilized by several local pilots belonging to the Knik Flying Club, Chugiak, was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, and the certificated flight instructor, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on June 20, the pilot reported that he was landing on runway 19L, which is 50 feet wide. The first 600 feet of the runway has an asphalt surface. The pilot said he landed on the edge of the asphalt portion, and then rolled onto the gravel portion. At that time, the airplane immediately veered about 45 degrees to the left. He applied right rudder and right aileron, but no directional correction occurred. He applied full power to abort the landing, but then decided to pull the engine power to idle. The flight instructor reported that as the pilot was applying right aileron control input, he put hand pressure on the rear control stick to the right, but he noted that the pilot already had full right control deflection. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and collided with a berm. The left wing received minor damage, and the left main landing gear strut was bent upward. At 2036, an aviation routine weather report (METAR) at the Birchwood Airport was reporting, in part: Wind, 230 degrees (true) at 8 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, 6,000 feet overcast; temperature, 57 degrees F; dew point, 46 degrees F; altimeter, 30.09 inHg. On July 3, an FAA certificated mechanic reported that the airplane received minor damage to the left wingtip, twisting of the fuselage at the tailwheel, a broken tailwheel spring, and structural damage to the forward left wing lift strut. The pilot, seated in the front seat, was issued a private pilot certificate about 3 months before the accident, and indicated that he had about 60 total hours. He did not have a tailwheel endorsement. The flight instructor, seated in the rear seat, indicated that he had a tailwheel endorsement.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:30 AKDT
Nearest AirportBirchwood (0nm)
Runway19L
Runway Length1802 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 7GCBC
Tail NumberN1163E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRandy Coyne
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-0320A2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class · None
Crew 2Age 41 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 46
Altimeter30.09 inHg
Observation Time23:36
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data