# NTSB DEN04LA081: Bellanca 7KCAB, N4173Y, Peyton, CO, May 26, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 26, 2004, 17:20 local (23:20 UTC) - Place: Peyton, CO - Coordinates: 38.740886, -105.169876 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7409&lon=-105.1699&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59386 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN04LA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59386/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04LA081 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning and decision making and his failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing flare which resulted in impact with terrain. Contributing factors include the pilot's failure to perform a go-around and the wind gust. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - go-around - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis According to the pilot, as he returned to Meadow Lake, he received weather conditions from the local Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS). ASOS reported winds from 250 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The pilot decided to "attempt a landing." While on final approach for runway 33, the pilot noticed that his rate of descent had increased to approximately 1000 feet per minute. The pilot added engine power, and increased the airplane's angle of attack and bank, to compensate for the crosswind conditions. The pilot said that during the flare, the airplane "floated" and he had to fly at an "unsafe bank angle...to maintain [runway] centerline." The pilot decided to abort the landing and added full power for a go-around. The pilot said, at approximately 10 to 25 feet above the ground, a gust of wind struck the airplane and although he was not able to maintain runway centerline, the airplane "seemed to be controllable." The pilot said he was unable to maintain level flight and the airplane continued to drift to the right of the runway centerline. When he entered a 20 to 30 degree right bank to avoid some trees, the airplane's right wing struck the ground. The airplane cart wheeled several times causing substantial damage to the airplane's fuselage, wings, and empennage. ## Factual narrative On May 26, 2004, at approximately 1720 mountain daylight time, a Bellanca 7KCAB, N4173Y, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during landing at Meadow Lake Airport (00V), Peyton, Colorado. The private pilot sustained minor injuries and the passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local personal flight was being conducted under provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a fight plan. The flight originated at approximately 1630. According to the pilot, as he returned to Meadow Lake, he received weather conditions from the local Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS). ASOS reported winds from 250 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The pilot decided to "attempt a landing." While on final approach for runway 33, the pilot noticed that his rate of descent had increased to approximately 1000 feet per minute. The pilot added engine power, and increased the airplane's angle of attack and bank, to compensate for the crosswind conditions. The pilot said that during the flare, the airplane "floated" and he had to fly at an "unsafe bank angle...to maintain [runway] centerline." The pilot decided to abort the landing and added full power for a go-around. The pilot said, at approximately 10 to 25 feet above the ground, a gust of wind struck the airplane and although he was not able to maintain runway centerline, the airplane "seemed to be controllable." The pilot said he was unable to maintain level flight and the airplane continued to drift to the right of the runway centerline. When he entered a 20 to 30 degree right bank to avoid some trees, the airplane's right wing struck the ground. The airplane cart wheeled several times causing substantial damage to the airplane's fuselage, wings, and empennage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4173Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4173Y-2017-10-19), registration cancelled 2017-10-19, S/N 598-77, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 7KCAB - Registry model: [Bellanca 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7kcab) (registry code 1220701) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 598-077 - Airframe hours: 5743.8 - Engines: Lycoming IO-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Allen Short - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 2003, 121.2 hours before - Departed: 00V, Peyton, CO - Destination: 00V, Peyton, CO - Airport: 00V, Meadow Lake, runway 33, 6,000 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; injuries: minor; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review November 15, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 241 total, 28 in this make and model, 141 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 16 knots, gusting 27 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 29.75 inHg - Observed at: KCOS, 10 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 20040526010179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040526010179A), May 26, 2004: Bbavia 7KCAB, Colorado Spring, CO, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot encountered strong gusty winds on landing. He could not maintain the centerline and tried to go around. The right wingtip struck the ground when… 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.