# NTSB ANC12CA071: Bellanca 7GCBC, N90974, Fairbanks, AK, July 6, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 6, 2012, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 64.741668, -147.95166 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.7417&lon=-147.9517&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 9, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA Fairbanks FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 84255
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC12CA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84255/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84255
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA071

## Probable cause

The pilot's excessive use of brakes during landing, which resulted in a noseover.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was landing his tailwheel-equipped airplane on a dirt airstrip. After correcting for an off-centerline landing, he applied heavier braking than normal, and the airplane nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he was landing his tailwheel-equipped airplane on a dirt airstrip. After correcting for an off-centerline landing, he applied heavier braking than normal, and the airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90974](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N90974), registered now, S/N 433-73, 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: 433-73
- Airframe hours: 1802
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 2012, 9 hours before
- Departed: Fairbanks, AK
- Destination: PAFA, Fairbanks, AK
- Airport: 2AK2, Clear Creek Strip, runway 13, 2,200 × 18 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 21, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 116 total, 53 in this make and model, 45 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observed at: PAEI, 6 nm away

## 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 20120706013469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120706013469A), Jul 6, 2012: Bellanca 7GCBC, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Upon landing at Clear Creek the pilot raised the tail to practice operating the aircraft on two wheels in an off-airport situation. The engine was at very low…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 22, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84255. 642 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 642 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375721&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.

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