# NTSB BFO90LA005: Bellanca 8GCBC, N7871S, Churchville, MD, October 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 29, 1989, 09:50 local (14:50 UTC)
- Place: Churchville, MD
- Coordinates: 38.810531, -76.530433 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8105&lon=-76.5304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11564
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11564/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90LA005

## Probable cause

THE PILOT NOT MAINTAINING ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM THE WIND SOCK DURING AN ABORTED LANDING. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE PRESENCE OF ANOTHER AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - aborted landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - pole

## Analysis

JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN ON RWY 01, THE PILOT NOTICED ANOTHER ACFT ON APPROACH FOR RWY 10. THE PLT APPLIED FULL PWR TO ABORT THE LANDING, PULLED UP & TURNED RIGHT FOR AVOIDANCE. THE RIGHT WING COLLIDED WITH A 4-INCH SQUARE WIND SOCK POLE ADJACENT TO THE RWY, AND THE ACFT CRASHED INVERTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7871S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7871S-2018-05-31), registration cancelled 2018-05-31, S/N 229-76, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8GCBC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 8GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8gcbc) (registry code 1220803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 229-76
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Atlantic Soaring, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 28, 1989, 76 hours before
- Airport: 0W3, Harford Co., runway 1, 1,650 × 90 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,200 total, 500 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19891029043649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891029043649A), Oct 29, 1989: Bbavia 8GCBC, Churchville, MD, Substantial damage. On touchdown saw plane landing opposite runway. Began go around, banked high to avoid. Wing hit pole. Nosed over.

## Other investigations on N7871S (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 DEN79FTE86](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79FTE86), Sep 26, 1979: Bellanca 8GCBC (N7871S), Wellington, CO, destroyed

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.

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