# NTSB CEN22LA207: Bellanca Cruisemaster, N7655B, Gainesville, TX, May 19, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: May 19, 2022, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Gainesville, TX
- Coordinates: 33.6259, -97.1333 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6259&lon=-97.1333&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 105105
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105105/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105105
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA207

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing due to his distraction with the wind gusts.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Bellanca 14-19-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=3080104), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md)
- [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 14-19-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=3080104), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 14-19-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=3080104), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 14-19-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=3080104), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Bellanca 14-19-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=3080104), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 14-19-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=3080104), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while on final approach for runway 18 the airplane bounced around in gusty wind conditions. The pilot was focused on the wind gusts, and he forgot to put the landing gear down. The airplane touched down on the lower fuselage and slid to a stop. The pilot observed smoke emitting from the engine after the landing. The airplane was consumed by a post-crash fire.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7655B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7655B-2023-04-21), registration cancelled 2023-04-21, S/N 4006, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA Cruisemaster
- Registry model: [Bellanca 14-19-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-14-19-2) (registry code 3080104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4006
- Year built: 1957
- Airframe hours: 2880
- Engines: Continental O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 11, 2022, 23 hours before
- Departed: F30, Sulphur, OK
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: GLE, Gainesville Municipal, runway 18, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 18, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 846 total, 390 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 17 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.59 inHg
- Observed at: KGLE, 4 nm away
- METAR: KGLE 192135Z AUTO 17017G22KT 10SM CLR 32/18 A2959 RMK AO2 T03210184 PWINO

## 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 20220519007389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220519007389A), May 19, 2022: Bellanca 14-19-2, Gainesville, TX, Destroyed. Pilot figting strong winds and turbulance landed aircraft with gear up at kgle resulting in a post-accident fire.

## Other investigations on N7655B (2)

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 CEN11LA189](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA189), Feb 14, 2011: Bellanca 14-19-2 (N7655B), Hueco Tanks, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power for reasons undetermined.
- [NTSB MIA72FKG56](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72FKG56), Nov 28, 1971: Bellanca 14-19 (N7655B), Cairo, GA, substantial damage

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 7, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105105. 5.1 MB in all.

- NTSB form 6120 pilot operator report CEN22LA207 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14545442&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20Pilot%20Operator%20Report%20CEN22LA207_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for the record pilot report summary CEN22LA207 (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 133 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14545004&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20the%20Record%20Pilot%20Report%20Summary%20CEN22LA207_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo array CEN22LA207 (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14544850&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20CEN22LA207-Rel.pdf

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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