# Accident 20240501004529A: Bellanca 7ECA, Watervliet, MI, May 1, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 1, 2024, 11:40 local time
- Place: Watervliet, MI
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Rollout
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 42.2007° N, 86.2493° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2007&lon=-86.2493&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8618V, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8618V-2026-08-14) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bellanca 7ECA (registry code 1220460, https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7eca) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-235 series (registry code 41505, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ECA
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-235 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 1,600 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN24LA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA176) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240501004529A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON 5/1/2024 AT APPROXIMATELY 1140 EDT, A BELLANCA MODEL 7ECA OPERATING UNDER 14 CFR PART 91, EXPERIENCED LOSS OF CONTROL UPON LANDING AT WATERVLIET MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (40C) LOCATED IN MICHIGAN. THE LOSS OF CONTROL RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL AIRCRAFT DAMAGE. THE PILOT WAS THE ONLY PERSON ON THE AIRCRAFT AND REPORTED NO INJURIES.

ON 5/1/2024 THE PILOT WAS OPERATING UNDER VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES AND “GRASS FIELD TAKEOFF AND LANDING PRACTICE.” THE PILOT STATED HE DEPARTED FROM PLYMOUTH MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (C65) WITH A STOP AT MICHIGAN CITY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (MGC) ENROUTE TO 40C. THE PILOT STATED HE HAD NEVER PREVIOUSLY LANDED AT 40C. THE PILOT STATED HE USED THE FLIGHT PLANNING APP WINGX AND A STRATUS ADS-B TO CHECK FOR WEATHER AND AIRPORT INFORMATION. THE FAA AIRPORT FACILITY DIRECTORY NOTES IN “AIRPORT REMARKS” RUNWAY 02-20 IS SOFT WHEN WET DURING SPRING DUE TO POOR DRAINAGE. THE PILOT STATED, “THERE HAD BEEN LITTLE OR NO RAIN IN THE PREVIOUS WEEK.” TOTAL PRECIPITATION FOR THE PREVIOUS WEEK SHOWED AN APPROXIMATE RAIN TOTAL OF 1.755 INCHES IN THE WATERVLIET, MI AREA. THE PILOT STATED THERE WERE NO OTHER NOTAMS FOR THE AIRPORT AND HE “LOOKED FOR SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE WATER STANDING IN FIELDS OR TERRAIN ENROUTE.” THE AIRCRAFT LANDED ON RUNWAY 20 TO THE SOUTH APPROXIMATELY 480 FT. FROM THE START OF THE RUNWAY. THE MARKS ON THE GROUND INDICATED THE TAIL WHEEL TOUCHED FIRST FOLLOWED BY THE MAIN LANDING GEAR. THE AIRCRAFT TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 200 FT. FROM INITIAL TOUCHDOWN TO THE STOPPING POINT. THE PILOT STATED, “UPON TOUCHDOWN AND ROLLOUT THE AIRCRAFT DECELERATED RAPIDLY, AND THE TAIL BEGAN TO RISE. I APPLIED FULL AFT ELEVATOR, BUT THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED OVER ON ITS NOSE AND BACK.” THE AIRCRAFT WAS MOVED AND SECURED AT A LOCAL RESIDENCE ADJACENT TO THE APPROXIMATE AREA WHERE THE AIRPLANE CAME TO A STOP. DURING THE INITIAL INVESTIGATION ON 5/1/2024 AT APPROXIMATELY 1500 EDT, THE AIRFIELD WAS NOTICEABLY SOFT.

THE AIRCRAFT DAMAGE IS AS FOLLOWS:

THE TAIL SURFACE AND STRUCTURAL FRAME WAS DAMAGED AND BENT. THE UPPER PORTION OF THE RUDDER WAS CRUSHED. THE RIGHT-WING STRUCTURAL SUPPORT WAS BENT. THE ENGINE COWL AND PROPELLER WERE DAMAGED. INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE DUE TO THE PROPELLER STRIKE AND SUDDEN STOPPAGE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN24LA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA176), May 1, 2024: Bellanca 7ECA (N8618V), Watervliet, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain control during the landing roll on a soft turf runway.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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