Pilot Debrief

BELLANCA 8GCBC near Delta Junction, AK — 2011-11-11

Final reportANC12TA008
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Date
2011-11-11
Location
Delta Junction, AK, USA
Aircraft
BELLANCA 8GCBC
Registration
N88417
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

Ice accretion in the main landing gear wheel brakes, which prevented the main landing gear wheels from rotating on landing, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that she had taxied for an extended period in loose snow at the departure airport. The subsequent flight and accident landing were in sub-freezing temperatures. On touchdown at the destination airstrip, the tires immediately dug into the shallow snow layer, and the airplane nosed down and skidded for several yards before nosing over. The pilot stated that she thought the brakes had frozen and locked the tires prior to landing, probably precipitated by taxiing in the loose snow at the departure airport. Postaccident examination found one brake still locked by ice and one free. No mechanical deficiencies other than the frozen brake were found.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to assess runway conditions before landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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