# NTSB CEN23LA392: Bellanca 7ECA, N11648, Midlothian, TX, August 31, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 31, 2023, 16:13 local (21:13 UTC) - Place: Midlothian, TX - Coordinates: 32.458293, -96.912526 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4583&lon=-96.9125&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 192979 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA392 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192979/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192979 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA392 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing which resulted in the right main landing gear collapse. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ECA, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1220460), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ECA, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1220460), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ECA, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1220460), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was familiarizing himself with the airplane in preparation for a multi-day cross-country flight. He also said that there was a potential that he would provide flight instruction to a student during the upcoming flights, so he wanted to perform three takeoffs and landings in the airplane to meet the recent flight experience requirements of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 61.57. He said that as he approached the airport, the reported weather indicated the wind was aligned with the runway. During the approach, he noted that the windsock showed a left crosswind, and he adjusted the approach using crosswind control correction for the left crosswind. During the rollout, the wind shifted, and the right wing rose. The pilot attempted to correct but when the wing came back down the airplane veered off the left side of the runway and the right main landing gear collapsed. He said that after the event the windsock showed a right crosswind and he believed that there was some windshear that resulted in the right wing raising during the event. The airplane received substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical issues with the airplane. The recorded weather at the airport where the accident occurred was from 020° at 3 knots, about the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N11648](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11648-2024-07-06), registration cancelled 2024-07-06, S/N 838-72, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ECA - Registry model: [Bellanca 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7eca) (registry code 1220460) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 838-72 - Year built: 1972 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bruns Luke J - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: GPM, Grand Prairie, TX - Airport: JWY, Mid-Way Rgnl, runway 18, 6,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: minor; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 650 total, 4 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: KJWY - METAR: METAR KJWY 312115Z AUTO 02003KT 10SM BKN100 BKN120 37/14 A2989 RMK AO2 T03660142= ## 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 20230831022729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230831022729A), Aug 31, 2023: Bellanca 7ECA, Midlothian, TX, Substantial damage. On 08/31/2023 the pilot operating aircraft stated he departed gpm-grand prairie municipal airport to jwy-Midlothian/midway airport. The flight was conducted… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 4, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192979. 461 KB in all. - Record of conversation with pilot (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16162598&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20with%20pilot-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 395 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16162266&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-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. --- 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.