On August 24, 2002, a Bellanca 7ECA (registration N9994Y) was involved in an aviation accident near Gakona, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, and his excessive use of the airplane's brakes during the landing roll, which resulted in the airplane nosing down. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During landing roll at a remote airport, a tailwheel-equipped airplane hit a bump, veered right into tall wet grass, and nosed down, resulting in damage to the propeller and left wing.
Accident Details
The private certificated pilot was landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane at a remote airport. During the landing roll, the pilot reported that the airplane struck a bump on the runway surface, which caused the aircraft to be thrown upward and to the right. As a result, the right main landing gear tire entered an area of tall, wet grass along the right edge of the runway, pulling the airplane further to the right. The pilot stated that he then applied the brakes, and the airplane nosed down along the right side of the runway.
Damage
Postaccident inspection by an FAA inspector revealed damage to the propeller and the left wingtip. Further examination of the left wing indicated damage to at least two wing ribs.
Investigation
The accident was investigated by the FAA. The sequence of events was described solely by the pilot's account and the subsequent inspection. No additional causal factors or analysis were provided in the source.