# NTSB ATL03LA141: Bellanca CH-300, N796W, Peachtree City, GA, September 17, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 17, 2003, 18:20 local (22:20 UTC) - Place: Peachtree City, GA - Coordinates: 33.356945, -84.571945 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3569&lon=-84.5719&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Atlanta FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58624 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL03LA141 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58624/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA141 ## Probable cause The pilots failure to maintain directional control during landing roll that resulted in a ground loop and subsequent collapse of the main landing gear. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - Gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The purpose of the flight was undetermined, however, according to the pilot, they were on a normal approach for a 3-point landing on Runway 13. After the airplane touched down half way down the runway, the pilot began to make minor corrections with the rudder to maintain directional control during the landing roll. The pilot further reported that the airplane veered off the left side, two-thirds down the runway, ground looped, followed by the collapse of the left main landing gear. The pilot did not report a mechanical malfunction with the airplane. The examination of the airplane also failed to disclose a mechanical problem. The pilot stated that this accident could have been prevented with "better rudder control by the operator." ## Factual narrative On September 17, 2003 at 1820 eastern daylight time, a Bellance CH-300 (Replica), NR796W, registered to and operated by Spirit of Wenatchee, Inc. left main landing gear collapsed during an attempted landing on runway 13 at Falcon Field Peachtree City, Georgia. The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The commercial pilot and passenger had minor injuries. The flight departed Falcon Field, Peachtree City, Georgia, at 1730, on September 17, 2003. The purpose of the personal flight was undetermined, however, according to the pilot, they were on a normal approach for a 3-point landing on Runway 13. After the airplane touched down half way down the runway, the pilot began to make minor corrections with the rudder to maintain directional control during the landing roll. The pilot further reported that the airplane veered off the left side of the runway about 3400 feet from the approach end. The airplane then ground looped, followed by the collapse of the left main landing gear. The pilot did not report the airplane having any mechanical malfunctions or failures. The examination of the airplane after the accident also failed to disclose a mechanical problem. The pilot stated that this accident could have been prevented with "better rudder control by the operator." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N796W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N796W), registered now, S/N 3004, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA CH-300 - Registry model: [Spirit Of Wenatchee BELLANCA CH 300 REPL](https://openairdocs.org/model/spirit-of-wenatchee-bellanca-ch-300-repl) (registry code 056148H) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 3004 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R 985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Spirit of Wenatchee.Inc., - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: FFC, Peachtree City, GA - Destination: FFC, Peachtree City, GA - Airport: FFC, Falcon Field, runway 13, 5,220 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC) - Wind: 60° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: ATL ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20030917036159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030917036159A), Sep 17, 2003: Blanca CH300PACEMKR, Peachtree City, GA, Substantial damage. (-23) After landing on runway 13 at ffc, the aircraft began to veer to the left, the pilot overcorrected with excess right rudder and brake, causing the… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.