Bellanca 7GCBC accident near Knik, Alaska, May 27, 2024
On May 27, 2024 at about 4:28 am local time, a 1972 Bellanca 7GCBC, registered N9166L, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Knik, Alaska (Beaver Pod Strip airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's excessive braking during the landing roll, resulting in a nose over.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 27, 2024 · about 4:28 am local time
- Place
- Knik, Alaska · Beaver Pod Strip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 7GCBC, built 1972 · all 7GCBCs on the register
- Registration
- N9166L · registry record · serial 319-72
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during the landing roll on a gravel airstrip, he applied brakes too aggressively which resulted in a nose over that caused substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, and both wing spars. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Braking capability › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 308.5 hours in all; 6.4 in this make and model; 22.6 in the last 90 days; 6.3 in the last 30 days; 259.7 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 24, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,848.3 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 11, 2023; 17.9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A2B (piston); 3,712 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AMR Anchorage AK at 3:43 am
- Destination: AMR Anchorage AK
- Flight plan: none
- Runway Nort, 960 ft by 20 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 10,000 ft; a few clouds at 5,500 ft
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.61 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 am from PAAQ, 22 miles away
Weather report (METAR): PAAQ 261553Z 34004KT 10SM FEW055 BKN100 10/03 A2961 RMK AO2 SLP028 T01000033 $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 3 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Image of right wing, fuselage, and empennage
Photograph 2 – Image of empennage
Photograph 3 – Image of wooden wing sparThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on March 28, 2025. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.