Summary
On April 12, 2017, a Bellanca 8GCBC (N5045E) was involved in an incident near Willow, AK. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The airplane's left main ski's collision with a submerged frozen sand berm.
The pilot of a ski-equipped tailwheel airplane reported that during the landing roll on a snow-covered sand bar, about 15-20 miles per hour, the left ski impacted a submerged frozen sand berm. He added that the left ski "broke" and the airplane nosed over.
The vertical stabilizer and left wing sustained substantial damage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA17CA228. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N5045E.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The airplane's left main ski's collision with a submerged frozen sand berm.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot of a ski-equipped tailwheel airplane reported that during the landing roll on a snow-covered sand bar, about 15-20 miles per hour, the left ski impacted a submerged frozen sand berm. He added that the left ski "broke" and the airplane nosed over.
The vertical stabilizer and left wing sustained substantial damage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA17CA228