# NTSB DEN03LA154: Bellanca 7ECA, N41698, Byers, CO, September 20, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 20, 2003, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Byers, CO - Coordinates: 39.866664, -104.208335 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8667&lon=-104.2083&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 57973 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN03LA154 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57973/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA154 ## Probable cause The pilot not maintaining adequate clearance from the ground and his improper in-flight planning/decision. Factors contributing to the accident were the tailwind, the low altitude, the tree, the people, the embankment, and the ravine. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Abrupt maneuver, go-around (vfr) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - go-around - initiated, pilot in command - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - altitude - low (contributing factor) - maneuver to avoid obstructions - initiated, pilot in command - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - object - other person (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, go-around (vfr) - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ravine (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported he was attempting to land to the west on the airstrip when he encountered a tailwind. The pilot reported he initiated a go-around, but had to turn south to avoid a large tree at the end of the airstrip, and a group of people on the north side of the airstrip. The airplane's right main landing gear contacted the ground. The airplane slid down an embankment and nosed-over causing substantial damage to the airplane's right wing, left and right wing struts, and the right main landing gear. An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies. Approximately 23 minutes after the accident, the wind conditions at the Denver International Airport, 22 nautical miles west of the accident site, were 100 degrees magnetic at 11 knots. ## Factual narrative On September 20, 2003, approximately 1230 mountain daylight time, a Bellanca 7ECA, N41698, piloted by an airline transport pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted into a ravine during a go-around at a private airstrip, 12 miles north of Byers, Colorado. The pilot and passenger on board the airplane reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The flight originated at Watkins, Colorado, at 1200. The pilot reported he was attempting to land to the west on the airstrip when he encountered a tailwind. The pilot reported he initiated a go-around, but had to turn south to avoid a large tree at the end of the airstrip, and a group of people on the north side of the airstrip. The airplane's right main landing gear contacted the ground. The airplane slid down an embankment and nosed-over. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane at the scene. The inspector reported that the airplane's right wing was broken aft and down at the wing/fuselage attach points. Both wing struts were broken. The right main landing gear leg was bent aft. The propeller showed torsional bending and chordwise scratches. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the engine, engine controls, and other airplane systems revealed no anomalies. At 1253, Denver International Airport, 22 nautical miles west of the accident site, reported winds as 100 degrees magnetic at 11 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N41698](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N41698), registered now, S/N 980-73, built 1973 (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: 980-73 - Airframe hours: 3429.69 - Engines: Mazda O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Frank C. Hoffman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 24, 2003, 5.42 hours before - Departed: FTG, Watkins, CO - Destination: Byers, CO - Airport: James Johnson, runway 090, 1,800 × 50 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 19, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 32,000 total, 252 in this make and model, 34 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: DEN, 22 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 20030920024319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030920024319A), Sep 20, 2003: Bbavia 7ECA, Byers, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft departed front range airport (ftg) with a destination of a Private strip owned by [privacy data omitted] the Private dirt/grass strip is… ## Other investigations on N41698 (1) 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 DEN92LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA010), Nov 27, 1991: Bellanca 7ECA (N41698), Watkins, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING LANDING FLARE. A FACTOR WAS THE CROSSWIND CONDITION THAT EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. 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.