# NTSB ANC95TA054: Bellanca 8GCBC, N7695S, Fairbanks, AK, May 13, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1995, 11:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 64.810317, -147.720535 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8103&lon=-147.7205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 30, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2747
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95TA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2747/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95TA054

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO VERIFY THE POSITION OF THE PARKING BRAKE KNOB PRIOR TO LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - parking brakes - not verified, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT PRIOR TO TAKEOFF THE RIGHT BRAKE WAS DRAGGING BUT HE THOUGHT IT WAS ONLY A STICKY BRAKE PUCK.  HE CHECKED THE PARKING BRAKE KNOB AND IT APPEARED TO BE IN THE OFF POSITION.  JUST PRIOR TO LANDING HE CHECKED THE BRAKES BY PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDALS.  UPON LANDING THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED 100 FEET AND NOSED OVER.  AFTER THE PILOT EXITED THE AIRPLANE, HE FOUND THAT THE AIRPLANE'S MAIN LANDING GEAR WHEELS WOULD NOT TURN.  HE REACHED INTO THE COCKPIT AND PUSHED ON THE PARKING BRAKE KNOB WHICH WAS EXTENDED 3/4 TO 1 INCH.  THE AIRPLANE'S MAIN LANDING GEAR WHEELS THEN TURNED FREELY.

## Factual narrative

On May 13, 1995, at 1145 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Bellanca 8GCBC airplane, N7695S, registered to and operated by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, nosed over after landing on the Chena Marina Airstrip, Fairbanks, Alaska.  The public use flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Chena Marina Airstrip at 0745 for a local flight.  A visual flight rules flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The commercial certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane received substantial damage.

According to the pilot, while he was taxiing for takeoff the right brake was "dragging" and he attributed the dragging to "sticky" brake pucks.  He made his takeoff without checking the brakes any further.  He visually checked the parking brake and the knob appeared to be in the off position.

Upon landing at the airstrip, the main wheels were locked and the airplane skidded about 100 feet before nosing over.  The pilot exited the airplane and an observer attempted to turn the wheels.  The airplane's main wheels were "solidly" locked, they would not turn.  The pilot then reached in the airplane and pushed the parking brake knob.  The knob moved approximately 3/4 to 1 inch inward and the airplane's main wheels turned freely.

The pilot stated that the brake knob is pulled out and the brake pedals are then pressed to set the parking brake.  The knob would be extended 3 inches for the parking brake to be energized. After the accident the knob was only extended 3/4 to 1 inch.  He stated that he checked his brakes prior to landing by pressing on the brake pedals.  He accomplished this to ensure that the brakes were not "soft."

According to the pilot, there is nothing in the airplane's landing checklist to indicate that the parking brake knob should be checked prior to landing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7695S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7695S), registered now, S/N 225-76, built 1976 (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: 225-76
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alaska Department Fish & Game
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: AK28, Chena Marina, runway 36, 4,700 × 150 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 7,990 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 7,769 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 99 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19950513047619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950513047619A), May 13, 1995: Bbavia 8GCBC, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Alaska dept fish. Brake dragged on takeoff ignored. Nosed over. Parking brake was on.

## Other investigations on N7695S (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 MKC79DER61](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79DER61), Aug 5, 1979: Bellanca 8GCBC (N7695S), Federal Dam, MN, 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.
