Probable cause
Ice accretion in the main landing gear wheel brakes, which prevented the main landing gear wheels from rotating on landing, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that she had taxied for an extended period in loose snow at the departure airport. The subsequent flight and accident landing were in sub-freezing temperatures. On touchdown at the destination airstrip, the tires immediately dug into the shallow snow layer, and the airplane nosed down and skidded for several yards before nosing over. The pilot stated that she thought the brakes had frozen and locked the tires prior to landing, probably precipitated by taxiing in the loose snow at the departure airport. Postaccident examination found one brake still locked by ice and one free. No mechanical deficiencies other than the frozen brake were found.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC12TA008 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 11, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Delta Junction, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Bellanca 8GCBC
- N-number
- N88417
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Public aircraft
- Purpose of flight
- Public aircraft
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.