# NTSB DEN91LA093: Bellanca 7GCBC, N90994, Longmont, CO, June 30, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1991, 15:25 local (21:25 UTC)
- Place: Longmont, CO
- Coordinates: 40.170295, -105.110481 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1703&lon=-105.1105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18107
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18107/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA093

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSSWIND.  FACTORS WERE:  A CROSSWIND CONDITION, AND THE PILOT'S TOTAL LACK OF EXPERIENCE.

## 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)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A FULL FLAP APPROACH TO RUNWAY 11, NOTED A DIRECT CROSSWIND FROM THE SOUTHWEST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS, AND DECIDED TO DO A WHEEL LANDING. AS THE TAIL SETTLED, THE AIRPLANE TURNED RIGHT AND STARTED SKIPPING TO THE LEFT ON THE MAIN TIRES.  THE PILOT ADDED FULL POWER IN AN ATTEMPT TO GO AROUND.  HE HAD ALREADY APPLIED FULL AFT ELEVATOR AND FULL AILERON INTO THE WIND.  THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND ENTERED A GRASS AREA.  THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AFTER STRIKING THE TAXIWAY.  THE LEFT WING THEN STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED TO A STOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90994](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90994-2015-05-04), registration cancelled 2015-05-04, S/N 442-73, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCBC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (registry code 1220601) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 442-73
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Air West
- Registered owner: Air West
- Departed: GXY, GREELEY, CO
- Airport: ZV2, Longmont Municipal, runway 11, 4,800 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 545 total, 2 in this make and model, 503 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 54 °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 19910630024859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910630024859A), Jun 30, 1991: Bbavia 7GCBC, Longmont, CO, Substantial damage. Tried to land in crosswind. Skipped sideways on landing. Lost control ground looped. Collapsed left 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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