# NTSB ANC96TA011: Bellanca 8GCBC, N88417, Fairbanks, AK, October 28, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report - Date: October 28, 1995, 14:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.810302, -147.720748 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8103&lon=-147.7207&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 18, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2917 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96TA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2917/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96TA011 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing. The snow-covered landing surface and the pilot's decision not to perform a go-around were factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor) - recovery from bounced landing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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". ## Aircraft - Registration: [N88417](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88417), registered now, S/N 123-75 (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: 123-75 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C2E 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91 - Registered owner: Alaska Div Of Fish And Game - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: AK28, AK - Destination: SLIDE CREEK, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: Dry Creek, runway 15, 1,100 × 100 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,050 total, 373 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 99 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 19 °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 19951028047179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951028047179A), Oct 28, 1995: Bbavia 8GCBC, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Landed on snow covered strip. Failed to use soft field procedure. Nosed over in four inch snow cover. ## Other investigations on N88417 (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 ANC12TA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12TA008), Nov 11, 2011: Bellanca 8GCBC (N88417), Delta Junction, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: Ice accretion in the main landing gear wheel brakes, which prevented the main landing gear wheels from rotating on landing, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. 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.