# NTSB ANC97LA062: Bellanca 7GCBC, N53817, Koyuk, AK, April 13, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 13, 1997, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Koyuk, AK - Coordinates: 64.939361, -161.149307 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.9394&lon=-161.1493&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2995 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2995/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA062 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind conditions. Factors associated with the accident were the winds gusts and crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with weather, taxi - from landing - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - snow covered - Main gear collapsed, taxi - from landing - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot reported he was taxiing his ski equipped airplane in gusty crosswind conditions after landing at an off airport site. A strong gust of wind pushed the airplane sideways to the right. The right ski struck some ice, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The right wing subsequently struck the ground and received substantial damage. ## Factual narrative On April 13, 1997, about 1500 Alaska daylight time, a ski equipped Bellanca 7GCBC airplane, N53817, sustained substantial damage while taxiing from landing at an off airport site near Koyuk, Alaska. The solo airline transport certificated pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight operated in visual meteorological conditions. The flight departed Ruby, Alaska, about 1200, and the destination was Koyuk. The pilot reported he had landed near the village of Koyuk, and was taxiing in gusty crosswind conditions towards a parking area, when the wind pushed the airplane sideways, to the right. The right ski caught on some ice, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The right wing subsequently struck the ice, and received substantial damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53817](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53817), registered now, S/N 882-75, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 7GCBC - Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (registry code 1220601) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 882-75 - Airframe hours: 2320 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael H. Quinn - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 26, 1997, 150 hours before - Departed: RUBY, AK - Flight plan: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,200 total, 2,100 in this make and model, 2,190 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 18 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 25 °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 19970413005989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970413005989A), Apr 13, 1997: Bbavia 7GCBC, Koyuk, AK, Substantial damage. Taxiing on frozen lake in gusty crosswind. Slid sideway. A ski caught ice lip and folded gear. Bent wing spar. ## Other investigations on N53817 (2) 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 ANC80DAA26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC80DAA26), Sep 8, 1980: Bellanca 7GCBC (N53817), Delta Creek, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC77DAH19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77DAH19), Sep 5, 1977: Bellanca 7GCBC (N53817), Tuxedi Bay, 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.