# NTSB GAA17CA228: Bellanca 8GCBC, N5045E, Willow, AK, April 12, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 11, 2017, 16:00 local (Apr 12, 2017, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Willow, AK - Coordinates: 61.647499, -149.972778 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6475&lon=-149.9728&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 5, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 94997 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA228 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94997/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94997 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA228 ## Probable cause The airplane's left main ski's collision with a submerged frozen sand berm. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: hidden/submerged object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 8GCBC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052/cases.md?model=1220803), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022052/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Bellanca 8GCBC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=1220803), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/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: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bellanca 8GCBC, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1220803), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Bellanca 8GCBC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=1220803), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 8GCBC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1220803), [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 8GCBC, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=1220803), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the ski-equipped tailwheel airplane reported that, during the landing roll on a snow-covered sand bar, about 15 to 20 mph, the left ski impacted a submerged frozen sand berm. He added that the left ski "broke" and that the airplane nosed over. The vertical stabilizer and left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a ski-equipped tailwheel airplane reported that during the landing roll on a snow-covered sand bar, about 15-20 miles per hour, the left ski impacted a submerged frozen sand berm. He added that the left ski "broke" and the airplane nosed over. The vertical stabilizer and left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5045E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5045E), registered now, S/N 308-79, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8GCBC (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Bellanca 8GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8gcbc) (registry code 1220803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 308-79 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 2005 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 2016 - Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK - Destination: Willow, AK - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F - Observed at: 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 20170411005199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170411005199A), Apr 11, 2017: Bellanca 8GCBC, Willow, AK, Substantial damage. Mishap pilot had a physiological need to micturate while enroute to his remote cabin. Pilot found a good site and upon landing in soft, springtime snow, hit a… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 13, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94997. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453050&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 416 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453051&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.