# NTSB ATL98LA087: Bellanca 8GCBC, N53954, Pensacola, FL, June 12, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 12, 1998, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Pensacola, FL - Coordinates: 30.500013, -87.369224 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5000&lon=-87.3692&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 4001 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4001/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA087 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent activation of the parking brakes which resulted in the nose over during the landing roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose over, landing - roll - parking brakes - inadvertent activation, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis After releasing the glider the pilot returned to the airport for a full stop landing. While on final approach the pilot stated that the windsock showed a slight right crosswind, and that he was high on the approach, so he initiated a right wing side slip. After transitioning from the side slip, to a full stall three point landing, the airplane touched down, and then immediately nosed over and came to a stop inverted on the runway. During a conversation with the mechanic performing the post-accident repairs on the airplane, stated that there were no apparent problems with the aircraft brakes. The airplane was moved, on the airport, subsequent to the accident, without difficulty. The mechanic also stated that he was told that the airplane's parking brake handle was possibly pulled in flight. He further stated that when the parking brake handle is pulled in flight, and once the pilot started the landing roll braking action, the main landing gear brakes will lock. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On June 12, 1998, at 1600 central daylight time, a Bellanca 8GCBC, N53954, operated by Coastal Soaring Association, under Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules, for the purpose of glider towing, nosed over during a landing roll at Coastal Airport in Pensacola, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot sustained no injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from the Coastal Airport, about 15 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to tow a glider. After releasing the glider, the pilot returned to the Coastal Airport for a full stop landing. While on final approach, the pilot stated that he maintained approximately 110 feet over the landing threshold. This altitude would allow the towing rope to clear the fence at the end of the runway. Since there was no one in the tow rope release area, the pilot chose to leave the rope attached to the airplane and drag it back to the hanger. The pilot also stated that the windsock showed a slight right crosswind, and that he was high on the approach, so he initiated a right wing side slip to quickly bleed off altitude. After transitioning from the side slip, for a full stall three point landing, the airplane touched down, nosed over, and came to a stop inverted on the runway. During a telephone conversation with the mechanic performing the post-accident repairs on N53954, he stated that additional airframe damage was discovered to the wing spars. The mechanic stated that there were no apparent problems with the aircraft brakes. The airplane was moved, on the airport, subsequent to the accident, without difficulty. The mechanic also stated that he was told that the airplane's parking brake handle was possibly pulled in flight. He further stated that once the pilot started the landing roll braking action, the brakes would lock. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53954](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53954), registered now, S/N 197-76, built 1976 (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: 197-76 - Airframe hours: 3286 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C2E 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Walter G. Wilhelm, doing business as Coastal Soaring Association - Registered owner: Coastal Soaring Association - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 19, 1998, 72 hours before - Departed: 83J, PENSACOLA, FL - Airport: 83J, Coastal Airport, runway 18, 2,510 × 230 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,433 total, 117 in this make and model, 1,290 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BFM, 35 nm away ## 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 19980612020459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980612020459A), Jun 12, 1998: Bbavia 8GCBC, Pensacola, FL, Substantial damage. Brakes malfunction on landing. Caused a nosed over on the runway. (.4) after releasing the glider the pilot returned to the airport for a full stop landing.… ## Other investigations on N53954 (1) 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 MIA05CA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA05CA097), Apr 25, 2005: Bellanca 8GCBC (N53954), Pensacola, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot misjudged his altitude and distance resulting in an overrun. Also causal was the pilot's failure to execute a go-around. 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.