# NTSB ANC86LA067: Bellanca 7GCBC, N31285, Deshka River, AK, June 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1986, 11:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Deshka River, AK
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4670
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4670/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA067

## 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 - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED WHILE LANDING AT AN UNIMPROVED AIRSTRIP THE AIRCRAFT'S LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUCK A BUSH CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO GROUND LOOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31285](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N31285), registered now, S/N 413-72, built 1972 (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: 413-72
- Airframe hours: 765
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Patrick A. Miller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 14, 1986, 10 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 442 total, 358 in this make and model, 358 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRI, 50 nm away

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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