# NTSB BFO93LA185: Bellanca 7GCBC, N53730, Wauseon, OH, September 23, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 23, 1993, 16:35 local (20:35 UTC)
- Place: Wauseon, OH
- Coordinates: 41.549446, -84.140281 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5494&lon=-84.1403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 20, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8827
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8827/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA185

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSSWIND WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE FLARE/TOUCHDOWN.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE CROSSWIND COMPONENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE FLARE/TOUCHDOWN ON RUNWAY 36, HE ENCOUNTERED A LEFT CROSSWIND.  HE STATED THAT THE LEFT WING CAME UP, AND HE CORRECTED USING THE AILERON, BUT THE AIRPLANE TURNED 35 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT AND EXITED INTO A BEAN FIELD WHERE IT NOSED OVER.  THE PILOT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Factual narrative

On Thursday, September 23, 1993, at 1635 eastern daylight time, N53730, a Bellanca 7GCBC, owned by Ned L Bechtel of Delta, Ohio, and piloted by David S Bechtel of Ohio, nosed over during landing at Fulton County Airport, Wauseon, Ohio.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.  The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The local, personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91.

The pilot stated that he encountered a left crosswind when he was landing on runway 36.  He said the airplane touched down, and during rollout, the left wing came up.  The pilot stated that he corrected using the aileron, but the airplane turned 35 degrees to the right of the centerline and exited onto a grassy area where it nosed over.  The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunctions.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53730](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53730), registered now, S/N 861-75, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCBC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (registry code 1220601) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 861-75
- Airframe hours: 1823
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ned L. Bechtel
- Registered owner: Ned L. Bechtel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 22, 1993, 26 hours before
- Airport: USE, Fulton County, runway 36, 2,005 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 308 total, 237 in this make and model, 261 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TOL, 15 nm away

## 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 19930923036159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930923036159A), Sep 23, 1993: Bbavia 7GCBC, Wauseon, OH, Substantial damage. Left wing came up landing in crosswind. Veered off runway and nosed over.

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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