# NTSB ANC99LA149: Bellanca 7GCBC, N53728, Fairbanks, AK, September 19, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 19, 1999, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.899795, -148.159606 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8998&lon=-148.1596&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 47536 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA149 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47536/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA149 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors in the accident were a windshear, and a short runway area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - short runway/landing area (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - object - tree(s) - Nose over, takeoff ## Analysis The private certificated pilot was departing a small ridge line at 2,700 feet msl. The dimensions of the ridge consisted of a useable area about 475 feet long, and 40 feet wide. In preparation for takeoff, he pushed the tail of the airplane to the rear edge of the area. The wind condition was light and variable. He began the takeoff run toward the north, which was slightly downhill. The airplane lifted off the ground, but then began to descend. He said the airplane would not climb, and settled toward numerous small spruce trees. The airplane collided with the trees, and nosed over. It received damage to the right main landing gear, the right wing lift struts, and the left wing spar. The pilot said the airplane may have encountered a tailwind gust, or swirling wind at the departure end of the ridge. ## Factual narrative On September 19, 1999, about 1300 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Bellanca 7GCBC airplane, N53728, sustained substantial damage after colliding with trees during takeoff from a remote area, about 47 miles north-northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska, at latitude 65 degrees, 35.5 minutes north, and longitude 147 degrees, 29.8 minutes west. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on September 21, 1999, the pilot reported he landed on a small ridge line at 2,700 feet msl, a few days before the accident to go hunting. He estimated the dimensions of the ridge consisted of a useable area about 475 feet long, and 40 feet wide. In preparation for takeoff, he pushed the tail of the airplane to the rear edge of the area. The wind condition was light and variable. He began the takeoff run toward the north, which was slightly downhill. The airplane lifted off the ground, but then began to descend. He said the airplane would not climb, and settled toward numerous small spruce trees. The airplane collided with the trees, and nosed over. It received damage to the right main landing gear, the right wing lift struts, and the left wing spar. The pilot said his cargo consisted of about 60 pounds of camping equipment, and about 60 pounds of sheep meat. He also said there was no mechanical problem with the airplane's engine. In the Pilot/Operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/2) submitted by the pilot, the pilot said the airplane may have encountered a tailwind gust, or swirling wind at the departure end of the ridge. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53728](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53728), registered now, S/N 860-75, 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: 860-75 - Airframe hours: 1364 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Steven G. Geraghty - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 1999, 42 hours before - Destination: MTF, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 654 total, 632 in this make and model, 617 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken - 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 19990919026169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990919026169A), Sep 19, 1999: Bbavia 7GCBC, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. (.19) On September 19, 1999, about 1300 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Bellanca 7GCBC airplane, N53728, sustained substantial damage after colliding… 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.