# NTSB ANC90LA165: Bellanca 7ECA, N5504N, Blair Lakes, AK, September 4, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1990, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Blair Lakes, AK
- Coordinates: 64.769683, -147.329208 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.7697&lon=-147.3292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5445
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5445/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA165

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE LOOKOUT DURING THE POST-LANDING TAXI. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE ROUGH TERRAIN, THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE, AND HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - from landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE POST-LANDING TAXI, THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WHEEL WENT INTO A HOLE ABOUT ONE FOOT DEEP, CAUSING THE WING STRUT TO HIT A TREE STUMP. THE PILOT SAID HE DID NOT SEE THE HOLE UNTIL THE WHEEL WENT INTO IT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5504N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5504N), registered now, S/N 1264-78, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ECA
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7eca) (registry code 1220460) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1264-78
- Airframe hours: 1971
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Alan F. Floyd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 2, 1990, 1,940 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: NONE, None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 112 total, 33 in this make and model, 112 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900904038759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900904038759A), Sep 4, 1990: Bbavia 7ECA, Blair Lakes, AK, Substantial damage. Post landing taxi at remote sight. Wheel dropped into hole, caused wing strut to strike a tree stump.

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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