# NTSB ANC93LA133: Bellanca 7GCBC, N68578, Soldotna, AK, August 1, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 1, 1993, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Soldotna, AK - Coordinates: 60.319831, -150.789093 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.3198&lon=-150.7891&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2393 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA133 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2393/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA133 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN A PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, landing - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - Nose over, landing ## Analysis WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING THE AIRPLANE TOUCH DOWN SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND NOSE OVER. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 1, 1993, at 1200 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Bellanca 7GCBC airplane, N68578, landed short of the approach end of the runway, then nosed over at Soldotna, Alaska. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The personal local flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, had departed from the Soldotna Airport about 15 minutes prior to the accident. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan was filed. Shortly after the accident the pilot stated that one of the airplane's brakes locked up while performing a post maintenance high speed taxi. One witness, Mr. Richard Reed, stated that the airplane nosed over after it touched down short of the runway during landing. Several other persons reportedly witnessed the accident but would not identify themselves. Officer John Gregory from the Soldotna Police Department, stated that he found ground scars that indicated that the airplane touched down short of the runway. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Following the accident FAA Inspector David S. McGlothlen, FSDO-03, Anchorage, Alaska, interviewed the pilot, Mr. Theodore A. Smith. At that time the pilot stated that the accident occurred while he was practicing short field landings. On NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (Accident Report), the pilot reported that he was practicing aborted takeoffs on short fields, and applied the brakes too "aggressively". ## Aircraft - Registration: [N68578](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68578-1997-10-15), registration cancelled 1997-10-15, S/N 41272 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCBC - Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (registry code 1220601) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 412-72 - Airframe hours: 1200 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Smith, Theodore A. - Registered owner: Smith, Theodore A. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000, 200 hours before - Departed: SXQ - Destination: SXQ - Airport: SXQ, Soldotna, runway 25, 4,973 × 130 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 1,400 total, 150 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SXQ, 1 nm away ## 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 19930801027399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930801027399A), Aug 1, 1993: Bbavia 7GCBC, Soldotna, AK, Substantial damage. Landed short of runway and nosed over. Pilot reported practicing short field landings. ## Other investigations on N68578 (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 ANC84FA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84FA052), Apr 9, 1984: Bellanca 7GCBC (N68578), Anchorage, 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. --- 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.