# NTSB CHI97LA079: Bellanca 17-30A, N8782V, Monroe, MI, March 6, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 6, 1997, 14:10 local (19:10 UTC) - Place: Monroe, MI - Coordinates: 41.910366, -83.380081 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9104&lon=-83.3801&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10524 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA079 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10524/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA079 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - vasi light/system ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8782V-1997-07-17), registration cancelled 1997-07-17, S/N 30325 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 17-30A - Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30a) (registry code 1220433) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 30325 - Airframe hours: 1266 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19970306010149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970306010149A), Mar 6, 1997: Blanca 1730A, Monroe, MI, Substantial damage. (.4)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… 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.