- Date
- March 6, 1997, 14:10 local (19:10 UTC)
- Place
- Monroe, MI
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Landing
- Aircraft
- N8782VBellanca 17-30A
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report February 15, 2000
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19970306010149A
- Case key
- 10524
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the pilot failed to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing. Factors included the inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions, the crosswind, and gusts.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot reported that he prepared to land on runway 21. The winds were from 280 degrees at 18 mph gusting to 25 mph. To counter the right crosswind, he applied right aileron and left rudder. On short final to runway 21, the airplane was established on centerline at 90 to 95 mph. During the flare the pilot reduced power. When the airplane was about 3 to 5 feet above the runway, it 'slammed' down to the pavement. The airplane pitched over to the left and departed the runway to the left. It impacted the second row of VASI lights. The skid marks indicated that full brakes were used. The airplane continued to turn to the left and went into a ditch which paralleled the runway. The pilot reported that a large stand of trees about 600 feet from the runway to the west created a turbulent wind situation at the approach end of runway 21. The inspection of the airplane revealed no anomalies to the flight controls or engine.
Factual narrative
On March 6, 1997, at 1410 eastern standard time, a Bellanca 17-30A, N8782V, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing and subsequent loss of control at the Monroe Custer Airport, Monroe, Michigan. The private pilot reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed Pontiac, Michigan, and landed at Monroe, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.
The pilot reported that he prepared to land on runway 21. He reported the winds were from 280 degrees at 18 mph gusting to 25 mph. To counter the right crosswind, he applied right aileron and left rudder. He reported that on short final to runway 21, he was established on centerline at 90 to 95 mph. During the flare he reduced power. The pilot reported that when the airplane was about 3 to 5 feet above the runway, it was "slammed" down to the pavement. The pilot maintained right aileron, but the airplane pitched over to the left side of the runway. The airplane departed the runway to the left. It impacted the second row of VASI lights. The pilot reported that the skid marks indicated that full brakes were used. The airplane continued to turn to the left and went into a ditch which paralleled the runway.
The pilot reported that a large stand of trees about 600 feet from the runway to the west created a turbulent wind situation at the approach end of runway 21.
The inspection of the airplane revealed no anomalies to the flight controls or engine.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N8782V
- Reported as
- Bellanca 17-30A
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 30325
- Airframe hours
- 1,266
- Engine
- Continental IO-540-K, 300 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Kenneth Edmondson
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · July 6, 1996 · 48 hours before
- Departed
- PTK · Pontiac, MI
- Destination
- D92
- Airport
- D92 · Monroe Custer Airport, runway 21, 5,000 × 70 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 59
- Certificate
- Private
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 1,450 total · 44 in this make and model · 1,450 as pilot in command · 20 in the last 90 days · 10 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 280° at 18 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility
- 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature
- -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.