# NTSB ANC13CA039: Bellanca 8GCBC, N88266, Seward, AK, April 28, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 28, 2013, 12:05 local (20:05 UTC) - Place: Seward, AK - Coordinates: 60.126945, -149.418884 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.1269&lon=-149.4189&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 86775 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC13CA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86775/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86775 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13CA039 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to land on an unsuitable landing surface, which resulted in a nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 8GCBC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1220803), [All aircraft, 3,100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Bellanca 8GCBC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=1220803), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/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: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 8GCBC, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=1220803), [All aircraft, 2,289 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a soft tidal beach. Before the attempted landing, the pilot circled the beach about 700 feet above ground level and thought it looked suitable for landing. During a second low pass, he allowed the main wheels and tailwheel to touch down to determine how soft the surface was, and he believed the surface was firm. During the landing roll, the main landing gear contacted an area of soft sand, and the airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the left lift strut and rudder. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot was landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a soft tidal beach. Prior to the accident, the pilot circled the beach at approximately 700 feet above ground level, and thought it looked suitable for landing. During a second low pass, he allowed the main wheels and tailwheel to touch down to determine how soft the surface was, and he believed the surface appeared firm. During the landing roll, the main landing gear contacted an area of soft sand, and the airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the left lift strut and rudder. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N88266](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88266), registered now, S/N 100-74, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8GCBC - Registry model: [Bellanca 8GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8gcbc) (registry code 1220803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 100-74 - Airframe hours: 1726 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kraxberger Rick R - Registered owner: Kraxberger Rick R - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 27, 2012 - Departed: SXQ, Soldotna, AK - Destination: Seward, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 3,150 total, 400 in this make and model, 3,090 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 10 knots - Visibility: 100 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °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 20130428006789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130428006789A), Apr 28, 2013: Bellanca 8GCBC, Kasilof, AK, Substantial damage. An aircraft accident on montague island involving aircraft N88266, a 8GCBC aircraft. The airman stated he was landing on an off airport beach at the mouth of… ## Other investigations on N88266 (1) 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 ANC77DAG51](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77DAG51), Jul 28, 1977: Bellanca 8GCBC (N88266), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 30, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86775. 708 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 708 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40392305&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. --- 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.