Pilot Debrief

BELLANCA 8GCBC near Seward, AK — 2013-04-28

Final reportANC13CA039
Sign in to save
Date
2013-04-28
Location
Seward, AK, USA
Aircraft
BELLANCA 8GCBC
Registration
N88266
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to land on an unsuitable landing surface, which resulted in a nose over.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a soft tidal beach. Before the attempted landing, the pilot circled the beach about 700 feet above ground level and thought it looked suitable for landing. During a second low pass, he allowed the main wheels and tailwheel to touch down to determine how soft the surface was, and he believed the surface was firm. During the landing roll, the main landing gear contacted an area of soft sand, and the airplane nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the left lift strut and rudder. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

Related mishaps