Bellanca 7GCBC N57391

Summary

On 22 June 2002 at about 11:30 local time, a Bellanca 7GCBC registered N57391, operated by Michael A. Roberts, was involved in an accident near Wasilla, Alaska, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 June 2002 at 11:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Wasilla, Alaska, United States

Nearest airport

Ciznek North

Coordinates

61.6306, -149.6836

Aircraft

Bellanca 7GCBC

Registration

N57391

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Michael A. Roberts

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fairbanks → Anchorage

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

ANC02LA059

Nobody was injured.

The unqualified pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site which resulted in an in-flight collision with a power line. Factors associated with the accident are the unqualified pilot's failure to see and avoid a power line, an unmarked power line, and dusk light conditions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The uncertificated pilot told a law enforcement officer during a telephone conversation that he was flying the accident airplane on a cross-country trip when he noted the fuel level was low. He elected to make a precautionary landing to refuel from a 5-gallon can of gasoline he had aboard. About 0330, in dusk conditions, he saw what he believed was an airstrip, and made an approach to land. During the approach, the airplane collided with a power line that was about 18 feet above the ground. The owner of the private airstrip told the NTSB investigator that the runway was still under construction, and that trees had recently been cut down on the approach end of the runway. He said when the trees were cut down, a power line was exposed that had been shrouded by the trees. A search of FAA records indicated that the pilot did not have a pilot's license or medical certificate.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.