NTSB Factual Report

On August 1, 2002, about 1600 Alaska daylight time, a tundra-tire equipped Bellanca 8GCBC airplane, N53828, sustained substantial damage during an aborted landing when it collided with terrain at a remote gravel airstrip 45 miles north-northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated private pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Fairbanks International Airport, Fairbanks, about 1430.

In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot reported that the airplane had just touched down on the Beaver Creek airstrip when the nose of the airplane went to the right, and then pulled hard to the left. He elected to abort the landing, and soon after becoming airborne, made a left turn to avoid a cabin at the end of the airstrip. During the left turn the airplane's landing gear collided with willows, which pulled the airplane further to the left. The airplane then bounced in a gravel stream bed, but kept flying. The pilot said he elected to aim between two trees and make a controlled crash at low speed instead of attempting to turn away from the trees or attempt to climb over them. He subsequently reduced power and collided with the trees, resulting in substantial damage to the wings, fuselage and empennage.

The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, which precipitated an aborted landing, and subsequent collision with trees.