# NTSB DEN89LA113: Bellanca 7ECA, N9121L, Albuquerque, NM, May 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1989, 14:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Coordinates: 35.099723, -106.520599 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0997&lon=-106.5206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17703
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17703/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA113

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL DURING LANDING ROLL. VARIABLE AND GUSTING WINDS ARE CONSIDERED A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## 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 - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PVT PLT WAS COMPLETING A X-COUNTRY FLT WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HE SAID THAT HE HAD TO SWITCH RUNWAYS BECAUSE OF GUSTING AND VARIABLE WINDS. HE SELECTED RWY 21, A 3,100 X 40 FT ASPHALT RWY. THE TOUCHDOWN SEEMED NORMAL BUT THE PLT SAID HE HAD TO USE FULL RIGHT RUDDER THEN FULL LEFT RUDDER TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE PLT SAID THAT A SUDDEN GUST FROM THE LEFT AND REAR OF THE ACFT BLEW DUST AND WEEDS ACROSS THE RWY AND LIFTED THE TAIL OF THE ACFT. THE ACFT CAME TO REST INVERTED AND TO THE RIGHT OF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9121L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9121L-2026-06-23), registration cancelled 2026-06-23, S/N 802-71, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ECA
- Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (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: 802-71
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rainbow Aero Inc.
- Departed: SAF, SANTE FE, NM
- Destination: 4AC
- Airport: 4AC, Colorado, runway 21, 3,500 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 341 total, 285 in this make and model, 42 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -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 19890502010649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890502010649A), May 2, 1989: Bbavia 7ECA, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Strong gusty surface winds on landing blew aircraft off runway and over on its back.

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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