# NTSB ANC02LA059: Bellanca 7GCBC, N57391, Wasilla, AK, June 22, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 22, 2002, 03:30 local (11:30 UTC) - Place: Wasilla, AK - Coordinates: 61.630554, -149.683609 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6306&lon=-149.6836&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 16, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 55191 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC02LA059 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55191/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55191 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA059 ## Probable cause The unqualified pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site which resulted in an in-flight collision with a power line. Factors associated with the accident are the unqualified pilot's failure to see and avoid a power line, an unmarked power line, and dusk light conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - visual lookout - inadequate, unqualified person (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, unqualified person (cause) - light condition - dusk (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The uncertificated pilot told a law enforcement officer during a telephone conversation that he was flying the accident airplane on a cross-country trip when he noted the fuel level was low. He elected to make a precautionary landing to refuel from a 5-gallon can of gasoline he had aboard. About 0330, in dusk conditions, he saw what he believed was an airstrip, and made an approach to land. During the approach, the airplane collided with a power line that was about 18 feet above the ground. The owner of the private airstrip told the NTSB investigator that the runway was still under construction, and that trees had recently been cut down on the approach end of the runway. He said when the trees were cut down, a power line was exposed that had been shrouded by the trees. A search of FAA records indicated that the pilot did not have a pilot's license or medical certificate. ## Factual narrative On June 22, 2002, about 0330 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Bellanca 7GCBC airplane, N57391, sustained substantial damage when it collided with power lines while on final approach to a private airstrip, located about 9 miles northwest of Wasilla, Alaska. The solo, uncertificated pilot, reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight departed Fairbanks, Alaska, at an unknown time, and was en route to Anchorage, Alaska. Dusk visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the vicinity of the accident site. No flight plan was filed. The NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) spoke with an Alaska State Trooper sergeant on June 24; the trooper sergeant related he had a telephone conversation with the pilot on June 23. According to the trooper sergeant, the pilot said he was en route to Anchorage from Fairbanks, and was concerned that his fuel supply was low. The pilot decided to land at an unfamiliar airstrip and refuel the airplane from a gas can he had aboard. During the approach to land, the airplane struck unseen power lines, and collided with terrain. The trooper sergeant said other state troopers had responded to the scene, and discovered a power line wrapped around the nose and propeller of the airplane. The NTSB IIC contacted the owner of the private airstrip on June 25. The owner said the airstrip was in the process of being constructed and lengthened, and that he had cut down numerous trees that were in the approach path to the runway. He said that after he had cut the trees down, there was an exposed power line about 18 feet above the ground. The power line had previously been shrouded by trees, and was unmarked. The airstrip owner said it was this power line that the airplane struck. A search of FAA records indicated that the pilot did not have a pilot's license or medical certificate. Attempts to contact the pilot by the NTSB IIC have been unsuccessful. He did not return an NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report form. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N57391](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57391-2012-09-05), registration cancelled 2012-09-05, S/N 486-73, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 7GCBC - Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (registry code 1220601) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 486-73 - Engines: unknown unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Michael A. Roberts - Registered owner: sale reported/unknown - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Fairbanks, AK - Destination: MRI, Anchorage, AK - Airport: ciznek north, runway 18, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; seat: front ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: calm - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20020622012799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020622012799A), Jun 22, 2002: Bbavia 7GCBC, Wasilla, AK, No damage. (-23) According to the Alaska state troopers, the airmen was low on fuel and decided to land on a private airstrip. During the landing the aircraft came into… ## Other investigations on N57391 (2) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB ANC77DAH79](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77DAH79), Jul 30, 1977: Bellanca 7GCBC (N57391), Port Alsworth, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC76AA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76AA107), Jun 24, 1976: Bellanca 7GCBC (N57391), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 11, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55191. 181 KB in all. - Alaska State Trooper Report (item 1, .PDF, 181 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40169312&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Alaska%20State%20Trooper%20Report-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.