# NTSB ANC98LA053: Bellanca 8GCBC, N1199E, Minchumina, AK, May 25, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 25, 1998, 08:40 local (16:40 UTC) - Place: Minchumina, AK - Location: 63.8860° N, 152.3018° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MINCHUMINA (MHM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.8860&lon=-152.3018&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 17, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3142 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA053 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3142/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA053 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. A factor associated with this accident was the pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - recovery from bounced landing - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - aborted - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, landing - aborted - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The solo student was landing at a remote, gravel airstrip. He stated that he visually inspected the airport wind sock and determined the winds were 'light and variable', favoring runway 20. He stated that the approach was normal until he went below the adjacent tree line, and the rate of descent increased. He was unable to arrest the descent prior to touchdown, and the airplane hit hard and bounced twice. He was unable to maintain directional control, and the airplane turned 45 degrees from its original runway heading. He said that in an attempt to abort the landing, he added full power, and the airplane went off the right side of the runway. The left wing struck a stand of trees. ## Factual narrative On May 25, 1998, about 0840 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Bellanca 8GCBC airplane, N1199E, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Minchumina Airport, Minchumina, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) student cross country flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The solo student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Chena Marina Airport, Fairbanks, Alaska, about 0721. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, on May 27, the student pilot reported that, prior to landing, he looked at the airport wind sock and determined the winds were "light and variable", favoring runway 20. He stated that the approach was normal until he went below the adjacent tree line, and the rate of descent increased. He was unable to arrest the descent prior to touchdown, and the airplane hit hard and bounced twice. The pilot noted in his written statement that he was unable to maintain directional control, and the airplane turned 45 degrees from its original runway heading. The pilot stated that in an attempt to abort the landing, he added full power, and the airplane went off the right side of the runway. The left wing struck a stand of trees and received substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1199E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1199E), registered now, S/N 254-77 (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: 254-77 - Airframe hours: 1436 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C1E 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael Helmbrecht - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 5, 1997, 13 hours before - Departed: AK28, CHENA MARINA, AK - Destination: MHM, MINCHUMINA, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: MHM, Minchumina, runway 20, 4,200 × 90 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 61 total, 61 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19980525010609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980525010609A), May 25, 1998: Bbavia 8GCBC, Minchumina, AK, Substantial damage. Bounced landing. Lost control. Veered off runway into trees. The solo student was landing at a remote, gravel airstrip. He stated that he visually inspected… 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.