# NTSB DEN82DA023: Bellanca 7GCBC, N88202, Havre, MT, January 26, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 26, 1982, 10:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Havre, MT
- Location: 48.5419° N, 109.6780° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Havre, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5419&lon=-109.6780&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 26, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70981
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70981/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA023

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Main gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,axle - failure,total (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

WHILE TAKING OFF TO HELP GATHER CATTLE, THE RIGHT AXLE FAILED AS THE LEFT WING WAS PICKED UP BY GUSTY WINDS. THE PLANE SPUN AROUND 180 DEGREES AND FLIPPED OVER. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AXLES WERE NOT HEAVY ENOUGH FOR CONSISTENT ROUGH FIELD USE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88202](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88202), registered now, S/N 737-74, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCBC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (registry code 1220601) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 737-74
- Airframe hours: 375
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Gary Meland
- Registered owner: Gary Meland
- Departed: HAVRE, MT
- Destination: HAVRE, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 400 total, 365 in this make and model, 358 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 99 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820126001959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820126001959A), Jan 26, 1982: Bbavia 7GCBC, Havre, MT, Substantial damage. Pilot lost directional control during takeoff collapsing right landing gear.

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.

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