# NTSB ANC99LA123: Bellanca 8GCBC, N5047Y, Wasilla, AK, August 23, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 23, 1999, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Wasilla, AK - Location: 61.5785° N, 149.4763° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wasilla, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5785&lon=-149.4763&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 47321 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47321/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA123 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors associated with the accident were variable winds, and a downdraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The certificated private pilot related that he was departing from a remote lake that is surrounded by 100 feet tall trees. He said that prior to starting his takeoff run, he estimated the winds to be light and variable, favoring an easterly takeoff. He reported that just after takeoff, about 50 feet above the trees, the wind increased to an estimated 25 to 30 miles per hour, and a strong downdraft pushed the airplane into trees. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On August 23, 1999, about 1330 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Bellanca 8GCBC airplane, N5047Y, sustained substantial damage when it collided with trees while departing from Memory Lake, located about 5 miles north of Wasilla, Alaska. The private pilot/airplane owner and the one passenger aboard received minor injuries. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on August 24, the pilot related that he was departing from a remote lake that is surrounded by 100 feet tall trees. He said that prior to starting his takeoff run, he estimated the winds to be light and variable, favoring an easterly takeoff. He reported that just after takeoff, about 50 feet above the trees, the wind increased to an estimated 25 to 30 miles per hour, and a strong downdraft pushed the airplane into trees. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5047Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5047Y-2013-08-07), registration cancelled 2013-08-07, S/N 311-79, built 1979 (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: 331-79 - Airframe hours: 3000 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Stephan K. Apgar - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1999, 55 hours before - Departed: IYS, WASLLIA, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,130 total, 55 in this make and model, 1,077 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 25 knots, gusting 30 - Visibility: 100 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °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 19990823013349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990823013349A), Aug 23, 1999: Bbavia 8GCBC, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage. Acft crashed on take-off and sustained substantial damage, other circumstances are unknown. (.19) on August 23, 1999, about 1330 Alaska daylight time, a flight… 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.