# NTSB ANC97LA073: Bellanca 8GCBC, N86801, Togiak, AK, May 3, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 3, 1997, 10:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Togiak, AK - Coordinates: 59.210433, -160.540451 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.2104&lon=-160.5405&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 29, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3006 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA073 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3006/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA073 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to properly compensate for crosswind conditions. The crosswind was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff ## Analysis The pilot was departing a beach area in a tailwheel equipped airplane to begin a fish spotting flight. A crosswind of about 15 knots was noted by the pilot from the left side of the airplane. After liftoff, the crosswind caused the airplane to go to the right, and the pilot banked the airplane to the left. The left wing struck the ground, and the airplane received damage to the left wing and propeller. ## Factual narrative On May 3, 1997, about 1045 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Bellanca 8GCBC, N86801, crashed during takeoff about 37 miles south-southwest of Togiak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area business flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. On May 8, 1997, at 0840, the pilot reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), that he was conducting fish spotting activities, and landed on a remote strip of beach known as Asigyukpak Spit. During the takeoff from the beach in a northeast direction, the pilot noted a left crosswind he estimated at fifteen knots. After liftoff, the crosswind turned the airplane toward the right, and toward the water. The pilot banked the airplane to the left, lowering the left wing. The wind from the left also pushed the wing downward, and the wing struck the sand. The pilot reported the airplane received damage to the leading edge of the wing, and the propeller. The pilot indicated that after the accident, the airplane was retrieved from the beach by landing craft, and transported to Dillingham, Alaska. The pilot reported that the airplane received additional damage to the wing during the retrieval. On May 15, 1997, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations inspector, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), reported he inspected the accident airplane in Dillingham, Alaska. The left wing exhibited damage to the leading edge, and the outboard and inboard ends of the wing spar. In a telephone conversation on June 25, 1997, at 1010, the passenger of the accident airplane reported he inspected the left wing at the accident site. His inspection revealed the outboard wing compression strut was bent. The manufacturer of the airplane reported the wing compression strut is a load bearing portion of the wing, and is considered to be a structural part of the wing. The NTSB pilot/operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/2) sent to the pilot was not returned. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N86801](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N86801-2013-02-27), registration cancelled 2013-02-27, S/N 20-74, built 1974 (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: 20-74 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C2E 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Barton Tiernan - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,500 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 315° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 90 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °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 19970503012829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970503012829A), May 3, 1997: Bbavia 8GCBC, Togiak, AK, Substantial damage. Fish spotting flight was departing a sand spit. Gusty crosswind pushed a wing down causing wing to strike sand. ## Other investigations on N86801 (3) 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 LAX00FA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00FA093), Feb 7, 2000: Bellanca 8GCBC (N86801), Sylmar, CA, destroyed, 4 fatal. Probable cause: The pilots' inadequate visual lookout in visual conditions and class 'E' airspace. Contributing to the accident were the initial position report location and the approach speed of the Questair. - [NTSB ANC77DAA25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77DAA25), Jun 9, 1977: Bellanca 8GCBC (N86801), Eagle, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC76DAH51](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAH51), Aug 26, 1976: Bellanca 8GCBC (N86801), Skwenta, 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.