# NTSB ANC83LA142: Bellanca 7GCBC, N5215X, Palmer, AK, August 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1983, 20:30 local (Aug 11, 1983, 04:30 UTC)
- Place: Palmer, AK
- Coordinates: 61.620334, -148.979324 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6203&lon=-148.9793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4152
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4152/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA142

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Forced landing, go-around (vfr)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
  - go-around - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED DURING A GO-AROUND ATTEMPT TO A MOUNTAIN AIRSTRIP AT 4000 FT MSL. ACCORDING TO THE PLT HE THOUGHT HIS APPROACH WAS TOO FLAT SO HE INITIATED A GO-AROUND AT LOW ALT AND WITH 60 KTS INDICATED AIRSPEED. THE ACFT WOULD NOT OUTCLIMB THE RISING TERRAIN AND THE PLT WAS FORCED TO LAND ON THE MUSKEG. DURING LANDING, THE RIGHT MAIN WHEEL SEPARATEDAND THE ACFT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5215X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5215X), registered now, S/N 179, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bellanca 7GCBC
- Registry model: [Champion 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcbc) (registry code 21101PK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 179
- Airframe hours: 934
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Glen Tilghman
- Registered owner: Thomas Hart
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 1982
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,457 total, 102 in this make and model, 1,190 as pilot in command, 82 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 45° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 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 19830810043539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830810043539A), Aug 10, 1983: Bbavia 7GCBC, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft was caught in downdraft as pilot attempted go around. Unable to climb pilot landed straight ahead.

## Other investigations on N5215X (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 ANC80DAG48](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC80DAG48), May 6, 1980: Bellanca 7GCBC (N5215X), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC76DAH61](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAH61), Aug 28, 1976: Bellanca 7GCBC (N5215X), Skwentna, AK, substantial damage

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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