# NTSB ANC93LA156: Bellanca 8GCBC, N8575V, Galbraith Lake, AK, August 21, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 20, 1993, 18:00 local (Aug 21, 1993, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Galbraith Lake, AK - Coordinates: 70.430389, -149.289947 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=70.4304&lon=-149.2899&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2412 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA156 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2412/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA156 ## Probable cause THE PILOTS IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION. A FACTOR WAS THE UNFAVORABLE WIND. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis THE PILOT SAID THAT JUST AFTER THE AIRPLANE GOT OFF THE WATER THE WIND SPEED OR DIRECTION, OR BOTH, CHANGED. THE AIRPLANE STOPPED CLIMBING, THEN HIT THE TERRAIN AT THE EDGE OF THE LAKE. THE PILOT SAID HE WAS TAKING OFF WITH A LIGHT LOAD, AND THAT HE HAD USED THAT LAKE 50 TO 60 TIMES PREVIOUSLY. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE WAITED FOR A STEADY WIND. ## Factual narrative On August 20, 1993, at 1800 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Bellanca 8GCBC airplane, N8575V, collided with the terrain during an attempted takeoff from an unnamed lake about 25 miles west of Galbraith Lake, Alaska. The private pilot and one passenger were uninjured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The personal hunting flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan was filed. On August 26, 1993, when the pilot called the NTSB to report the accident, he stated the following in part: "The accident happened on August 20, 1993, but because of bad weather we were not picked up until today. That's why I'm late reporting it. The accident happened while I was trying to takeoff from a lake that I had used 50 to 60 times previously. The winds were variable at about 10 gusting to 12 knots. Just after getting off the water the wind either changed directions or speed, or both. The airplane stopped climbing then hit the terrain at the edge of the lake. The right float and attaching fittings on the fuselage were damaged, and a float strut punctured the belly of the airplane." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8575V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8575V), registered now, S/N 142-75, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8GCBC - Registry model: [Bellanca 8GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8gcbc) (registry code 1220803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 142-75 - Airframe hours: 1900 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C2E 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mcintyre, Jon D. - Registered owner: Mcintyre, Jon D. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 1993, 60 hours before - Destination: TOOLIK LAKE, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 850 total, 650 in this make and model, 850 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 10 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °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 19930820031389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930820031389A), Aug 20, 1993: Bbavia 8GCBC, Bettles, AK, Substantial damage. Unable to obtain flying speed on water takeoff. Windshift to tail wind. Delayed abort tried hop bank. Floats hit. ## Other investigations on N8575V (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 ANC86LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA144), Sep 5, 1986: Champion 8GCBC (N8575V), Big Delta, 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.