Palmer, AK, USA
N5061G
Bellanca 7GCBC
The private pilot was landing on a remote airstrip next to a river when the left main wheel encountered a soft spot, which pulled the airplane to the left toward a deep gully and creek. The pilot applied power to get over the gully and creek, but the airplane encountered a patch of willows, and settled into the creek, striking the bank. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and landing gear.
On April 29, 2005, about 2030 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Bellanca 7GCBC airplane, N5061G, sustained substantial damage when it encountered soft terrain during the landing roll at a remote airstrip, about 25 miles southeast of Palmer, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) local personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The private certificated pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on April 30, the pilot said he was landing on a remote airstrip when his left tire hit a soft spot and "pulled me to the left." He said the airplane was headed for a deep gully and creek so he added power to get over the creek, and keep the airplane from nosing over. He said the airplane encountered willows and descended into the creek where it collided with the bank. He said the airplane sustained structural damage to the fuselage.
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a loss of control during the landing roll, and a collision with willows and a creek bank. A factor associated with the accident was the soft landing area.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
