# NTSB ANC05CA067: Bellanca 7GCBC, N5061G, Palmer, AK, April 30, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 29, 2005, 20:30 local (Apr 30, 2005, 04:30 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK - Coordinates: 61.242778, -148.588882 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2428&lon=-148.5889&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 61395 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC05CA067 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61395/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05CA067 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a loss of control during the landing roll, and a collision with willows and a creek bank. A factor associated with the accident was the soft landing area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - high vegetation - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment ## Analysis The private pilot was landing on a remote airstrip next to a river when the left main wheel encountered a soft spot, which pulled the airplane to the left toward a deep gully and creek. The pilot applied power to get over the gully and creek, but the airplane encountered a patch of willows, and settled into the creek, striking the bank. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and landing gear. ## Factual narrative On April 29, 2005, about 2030 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Bellanca 7GCBC airplane, N5061G, sustained substantial damage when it encountered soft terrain during the landing roll at a remote airstrip, about 25 miles southeast of Palmer, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) local personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The private certificated pilot was 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 April 30, the pilot said he was landing on a remote airstrip when his left tire hit a soft spot and "pulled me to the left." He said the airplane was headed for a deep gully and creek so he added power to get over the creek, and keep the airplane from nosing over. He said the airplane encountered willows and descended into the creek where it collided with the bank. He said the airplane sustained structural damage to the fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5061G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5061G), registered now, S/N 1167-79, built 1979 (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: 1167-79 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: David B. More - Registered owner: Danyelle Lowry - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PAWS, Wasilla, AK - Destination: Palmer, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 697 total, 470 in this make and model, 76 in the last 90 days, 74 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20050429011439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050429011439A), Apr 29, 2005: Bbavia 7GCBC, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) While landing on a remote strip near the inner lake george, the pilot hit a soft spot that pulled the aircraft to the left. At that time the pilot added… ## Other investigations on N5061G (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 ANC23LA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA072), Aug 17, 2023: Bellanca 7GCBC (N5061G), Palmer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout. - [NTSB ANC90LA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA049), Mar 31, 1990: Bellanca 7GCBC (N5061G), Kayak Island, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE A SUITABLE AREA TO TAXI FOR TAKEOFF. THE HIDDEN OBSTRUCTION (LOG) WAS A RELATED FACTOR. 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.