# NTSB DEN83LA024: Bellanca 7ECA, N9611S, Erie, CO, November 22, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 22, 1982, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Erie, CO
- Location: 40.0403° N, 105.0383° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Erie, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0403&lon=-105.0383&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 22, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70613
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70613/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA024

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE MADE A WHEEL LANDING ON RUNWAY 33 WITH THE WIND VARIABLE FROM 360 DEG AT 15 GUSTING 25 KNOTS. AS THE TAILWHEEL WAS LOWERED, THE AIRCRAFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT. HE CORRECTED BACK TO THE LEFT AND INITIATED A GO-AROUND, BUT THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK BARRELS BESIDE THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9611S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9611S-2018-12-20), registration cancelled 2018-12-20, S/N 82, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ECA
- Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 82
- Airframe hours: 1920
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Methven
- Registered owner: Robert Methven
- Departed: 48V, ERIE, CO
- Destination: C, BRIGHTON, CO
- Airport: 48V, Erie Tri County, runway 33, 5,400 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,170 total, 14 in this make and model, 2,620 as pilot in command, 395 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 93 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19821122059639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821122059639A), Nov 22, 1982: Bbavia 7ECA, Erie, CO, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on landing tailwheel aircraft. Tried to go around, veered off runway striking barrels.

## Other investigations on N9611S (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 GAA16CA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA175), Apr 3, 2016: Champion 7ECA (N9611S), Kinder, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area, resulting in a loss of directional control during landing, an airstrip excursion, impact with a fence and the subsequent airplane fire.

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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