On April 9, 1984, a Bellanca 7GCBC (registration N68578) was involved in an aviation accident near Anchorage, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout after bouncing on the runway due to turbulence. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A student pilot lost directional control after bouncing on the runway during final approach, veering off and striking a fence.
What happened
The student pilot reported that while on final approach to land, the aircraft encountered turbulence at approximately 40 feet above ground level. The airplane bounced upon touchdown on the runway. The pilot applied power in an attempt to go around but subsequently lost directional control. The aircraft yawed to the left, veered off the runway, knocked over a runway light, and collided with a fence. The Anchorage weather observation facility reported at 1818 hours that the airport's wind was from 300 degrees at 4 knots.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the loss of control during the landing phase. Examination of the site confirmed the aircraft had departed the runway surface and impacted stationary objects, including a light fixture and a fence structure.
Findings
Contributing factors included the encounter with turbulence during the final approach segment and the subsequent bounce on the runway surface. The pilot's application of power to execute a go-around resulted in a loss of directional control, leading to the off-airport collision.
Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout after bouncing on the runway due to turbulence.