# NTSB GAA19CA155: Champion 8GCBC, N53910, Palmer, AK, March 2, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 2, 2019, 12:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK - Coordinates: 61.798053, -149.503326 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.7981&lon=-149.5033&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 November 6, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99056 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA155 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99056/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99056 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA155 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during landing, which resulted in the left ski impacting snow and a subsequent bounce and loss of directional control. ## 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: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: snow/ice](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022060/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot in the snow ski-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, just before touchdown, he noticed a rock sticking out of the snow near the intended touchdown point. He tried to change the airplane's course to the left, but the left ski contacted the snow when the airplane was not straight with the direction of travel, and the airplane bounced. The right ski then contacted the snow, and the right main landing gear strut failed. The right wing struck the ground, and the airplane came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar. 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 in the snow ski-equipped airplane reported that during landing, just before touchdown, he noticed a rock sticking out of the snow near the intended touch down point. He tried to change the airplane's course to the left, but the left ski contacted the snow when the airplane was not straight with the direction of travel, and the airplane bounced. The right ski the contacted the snow and the right main landing gear strut failed. The right wing struck the ground, and the airplane came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: N53910 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Champion 8GCBC (No Series) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 192-76 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 2161 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 C2E 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2019 - Departed: 4AK6, Wasilla, AK - Destination: Palmer, AK - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review April 8, 2018; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,035 total, 488 in this make and model, 1,035 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 21 °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 20190302015569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190302015569A), Mar 2, 2019: Bellanca 8GCBC, Hatcher Pass, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot stated just before touchdown, he noticed a rock sticking through the snow and tried to make a slight course adjustment to the left avoid the rock. The… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 24, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99056. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473575&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 163 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473576&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.