On August 11, 1983, a Bellanca 7GCBC (registration N5215X) operated by Glen Tilghman was involved in an aviation accident near Palmer, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to initiate a go-around at low altitude and low airspeed, which resulted in an inability to clear the rising terrain, leading to a forced landing on muskeg where the right main wheel separated. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft attempting a go-around at a high-elevation mountain airstrip failed to clear terrain, forcing an emergency landing on muskeg where the right main wheel separated.
What happened
The aircraft was operating at a mountain airstrip situated at an elevation of 4000 feet above mean sea level. During the approach phase, the pilot determined that the descent path was too flat to safely reach the runway. Consequently, the pilot initiated a go-around maneuver while still at a low altitude and with an indicated airspeed of 60 knots.
Despite the climb attempt, the aircraft was unable to outclimb the rising terrain in the immediate vicinity. The pilot was forced to execute an emergency landing on adjacent muskeg ground. During this uncontrolled touchdown, the right main wheel separated from the aircraft structure. The force of the impact caused the aircraft to nose over.
The investigation
The physical examination of the wreckage confirmed that the right main landing gear assembly had detached during the landing sequence. The separation occurred as the aircraft settled onto the uneven muskeg surface following the failed climb-out attempt.
Probable cause
The pilot's decision to initiate a go-around at low altitude and low airspeed, which resulted in an inability to clear the rising terrain, leading to a forced landing on muskeg where the right main wheel separated.