# NTSB GAA17CA001: Bellanca 7GCBC, N8922, Fairbanks, AK, October 1, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 1, 2016, 13:46 local (21:46 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.815002, -147.856384 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8150&lon=-147.8564&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 5, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94129 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA001 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94129/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94129 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA001 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper crosswind correction, which resulted in a loss of pitch control and nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, during the approach, he applied carburetor heat, set airspeed to 70 knots, and set the flaps to 1 notch less than full. He reported that the flare and touchdown on the gravel runway was "very smooth." However, he recalled that, when the tailwheel contacted the ground, the right wing ascended, and the left wing dragged across the ground. The pilot reported that the left wing strut failed and that the airplane nosed over and came to rest on the gravel runway. Additionally, the pilot noted that, after the accident, the wind sock indicated a direct crosswind from the right and varied between three-quarters to completely full. However, postaccident photographs of the airplane revealed that the airplane's left wing sustained damage to its top side. The bottom side of the left wing, the wing tip, and the wing strut revealed no indication of runway contact. The photographs revealed substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, during the approach he applied carburetor heat, set airspeed to 70 kts. and set the flaps to 1 notch less than full. He reported that the flare and touch down on the gravel runway was "very smooth". However, he recalled that when the tailwheel contacted the ground, the right wing ascended and the left wing was dragged across the ground. The pilot reported that the left wing strut failed, the airplane nosed over and came to rest on the gravel runway. Additionally, the pilot noted that after the accident, the wind sock indicated a direct crosswind from the right and varied between ¾ to completely full. However, post-accident photographs of the airplane reveal that the left wing of the airplane sustained damage to the top side of the wing. The bottom side of the left wing, the wing tip and the wing strut revealed no indication of runway contact. Photographs reveal substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8922](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8922), registered now, S/N 493-73, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCBC (NO SERIES) - 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: 493-73 - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 1843 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, April 27, 2016 - Departed: FAI, Fairbanks, AK - Destination: FAI, Fairbanks, AK - Airport: FAI, Fairbanks Intl, runway 20, 2,900 × 75 ft, gravel - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 13, 2016; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 202 total, 107 in this make and model, 144 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: PAFA, 1 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 20161001019739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161001019739A), Oct 1, 2016: Bellanca 7GCBC, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot came in for landing on the gravel ski strip at Fairbanks international. Pilot touched down cut power and started his roll out when the right wing lifted… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 14, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94129. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453096&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453097&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 238 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453098&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.