Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to attain a proper touchdown point. A factor was the pilot's improper in flight planning/decision.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
Witnesses reported seeing the airplane touch down short of the runway and nose over.
Source record
Factual narrative
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 1, 1993, at 1200 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Bellanca 7GCBC airplane, N68578, landed short of the approach end of the runway, then nosed over at Soldotna, Alaska. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The personal local flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, had departed from the Soldotna Airport about 15 minutes prior to the accident. Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan was filed. Shortly after the accident the pilot stated that one of the airplane's brakes locked up while performing a post maintenance high speed taxi. One witness, Mr. Richard Reed, stated that the airplane nosed over after it touched down short of the runway during landing. Several other persons reportedly witnessed the accident but would not identify themselves. Officer John Gregory from the Soldotna Police Department, stated that he found ground scars that indicated that the airplane touched down short of the runway. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Following the accident FAA Inspector David S. McGlothlen, FSDO-03, Anchorage, Alaska, interviewed the pilot, Mr. Theodore A. Smith. At that time the pilot stated that the accident occurred while he was practicing short field landings. On NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (Accident Report), the pilot reported that he was practicing aborted takeoffs on short fields, and applied the brakes too "aggressively". -