# NTSB ANC21LA042: Bellanca 7GCBC, N659HC, Birchwood, AK, May 27, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 26, 2021, 17:30 local (May 27, 2021, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Birchwood, AK - Coordinates: 61.341339, -148.9988 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.3413&lon=-148.9988&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 103158 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC21LA042 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103158/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103158 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA042 ## Probable cause The pilot's use of excessive braking during the landing roll, 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 7GCBC, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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) (defining event); 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); 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 of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing on a short gravel surfaced runway he "braked to hard," and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, left lift strut and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation, and that the accident may have been prevented if he had realized his limitations and experience level and selected a more suitable runway or applied less brakes after touchdown. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N659HC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N659HC), registered now, S/N 1140-79 (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: 1140-79 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 2450 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320 A2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Knik Flying Club LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 30, 2020 - Departed: MRI, Anchorage, AK - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: A13, Bold, runway 14, 1,000 × 15 ft, gravel - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 19, 2020; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 85 total, 12 in this make and model, 37 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.76 inHg - Observed at: PABV, 15 nm away - METAR: PABV 270156Z AUTO 25006KT 10SM CLR 21/05 A2976 RMK AO2 SLP083 T02110050 ## 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 20210526010079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210526010079A), May 26, 2021: Bellanca 7GCBC, Chugiak, AK, Substantial damage. A low time pilot, with a recent tailwheel endorsement attempted to land on a short gravel runway only approximately 1,000 feet in length. He touched down… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 12, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103158. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12351960&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20dms_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (unknown source) (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12351920&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20array-Rel.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.