N7695S

On May 13, 1995, at 1145 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Bellanca 8GCBC airplane, N7695S, registered to and operated by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, nosed over after landing on the Chena Marina Airstrip, Fairbanks, Alaska. The public use flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Chena Marina Airstrip at 0745 for a local flight. A visual flight rules flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The commercial certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane received substantial damage.

According to the pilot, while he was taxiing for takeoff the right brake was "dragging" and he attributed the dragging to "sticky" brake pucks. He made his takeoff without checking the brakes any further. He visually checked the parking brake and the knob appeared to be in the off position.

Upon landing at the airstrip, the main wheels were locked and the airplane skidded about 100 feet before nosing over. The pilot exited the airplane and an observer attempted to turn the wheels. The airplane's main wheels were "solidly" locked, they would not turn. The pilot then reached in the airplane and pushed the parking brake knob. The knob moved approximately 3/4 to 1 inch inward and the airplane's main wheels turned freely.

The pilot stated that the brake knob is pulled out and the brake pedals are then pressed to set the parking brake. The knob would be extended 3 inches for the parking brake to be energized. After the accident the knob was only extended 3/4 to 1 inch. He stated that he checked his brakes prior to landing by pressing on the brake pedals. He accomplished this to ensure that the brakes were not "soft."

According to the pilot, there is nothing in the airplane's landing checklist to indicate that the parking brake knob should be checked prior to landing.