N1163E

On June 19, 2008, about 2030 Alaska daylight time, a tailwheel and tundra tire-equipped Bellanca 7GCBC airplane, N1163E, sustained substantial damage when it veered off the runway, and collided with a berm while landing at the Birchwood Airport, Chugiak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area instructional flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane, utilized by several local pilots belonging to the Knik Flying Club, Chugiak, was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, and the certificated flight instructor, were 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 June 20, the pilot reported that he was landing on runway 19L, which is 50 feet wide. The first 600 feet of the runway has an asphalt surface. The pilot said he landed on the edge of the asphalt portion, and then rolled onto the gravel portion. At that time, the airplane immediately veered about 45 degrees to the left. He applied right rudder and right aileron, but no directional correction occurred. He applied full power to abort the landing, but then decided to pull the engine power to idle. The flight instructor reported that as the pilot was applying right aileron control input, he put hand pressure on the rear control stick to the right, but he noted that the pilot already had full right control deflection.

The airplane departed the left side of the runway and collided with a berm. The left wing received minor damage, and the left main landing gear strut was bent upward.

At 2036, an aviation routine weather report (METAR) at the Birchwood Airport was reporting, in part: Wind, 230 degrees (true) at 8 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, 6,000 feet overcast; temperature, 57 degrees F; dew point, 46 degrees F; altimeter, 30.09 inHg.

On July 3, an FAA certificated mechanic reported that the airplane received minor damage to the left wingtip, twisting of the fuselage at the tailwheel, a broken tailwheel spring, and structural damage to the forward left wing lift strut.

The pilot, seated in the front seat, was issued a private pilot certificate about 3 months before the accident, and indicated that he had about 60 total hours. He did not have a tailwheel endorsement. The flight instructor, seated in the rear seat, indicated that he had a tailwheel endorsement.