ANC96TA011

The pilot attempted to land on a gravel airstrip with approximately 4 inches of snow cover. A previous flight had successfully landed at the airstrip in an identical aircraft (except with larger tires) but indicated that the snow was 'a definite factor' for landing. The pilot reported that on his landing attempt, the airplane '...sank in which caused a bounce. I...did not add power to smooth the bounce or go around.' Following the bounce, the aircraft touched down in unbroken snow and immediately nosed over.

On October 28, 1995, at 1415 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Bellanca 8GCBC airplane, N88417, registered to and operated by the Alaska Division of Fish and Game of Fairbanks, Alaska, nosed over during landing at Slide Creek airstrip, on Dry Creek about 60 miles south-southeast of Fairbanks near the Gold King airstrip. The public use flight, operating under 14 CFR 91, had departed from Chena Marina in Fairbanks. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed. The private pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged.

The pilot reported:

"...Another pilot landed on a gravel bar strip near the mouth of Slide Creek...in an identical aircraft except his had larger tires. The strip...has a surface of large gravel that was cleared long ago. It has good, clear approaches from either end and a moderate grade. The other pilot indicated that there was about 4 inches of snow on the strip and that it was a definite factor to be considered for landing...."

"While enroute...I made a low pass over the Slide Creek strip to inspect the surface and wind conditions....Bare gravel was visible in the tracks the other plane had left. I noted that he had landed uphill. I also looked at the windsock at the Neuman's strip (about 2 miles upstream) which indicated light southerly winds."

"...[A] third aircraft landed to the north, got out and checked the winds, and stated that winds were light (maybe 5 knots) from the north on the ground at the strip."

"Winds at altitude were...southerly. I elected to land uphill, to the south. I...made a normal approach to the strip. I carried a little power in as I started to flare. The airplane did not flare and sank in which caused a bounce. I did not think that the bounce was serious and did not add power to smooth the bounce or go around. When I touched down, I was a little right of the tracks (about a tire width), but in unbroken snow. The tail of the aircraft was up and the plane immediately flipped over and came to rest on its back...."

On the accident report, the pilot made the following recommendations as to how the accident could have been prevented: "1) choose alternate landing area 2)go around after less than perfect approach on soft fields".