# NTSB DEN92LA051: Bellanca 7GCBC, N53853, Longmont, CO, May 12, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 12, 1992, 08:10 local (14:10 UTC)
- Place: Longmont, CO
- Coordinates: 40.170955, -105.110321 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1710&lon=-105.1103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18208
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18208/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92LA051

## Probable cause

LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING ROLL BY THE PILOT UNDER INSTRUCTION.  A FACTOR WAS:  INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

WHILE CONDUCTING INSTRUCTION FOR TRANSITION TO A TAIL WHEEL AIRCRAFT THE STUDENT AND INSTRUCTOR ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO SWERVE DURING LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED AND THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. THE RIGHT WING AND PROPELLER WERE DAMAGED BY GROUND CONTACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53853](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53853), registered now, S/N 908-76, built 1976 (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: 908-76
- Airframe hours: 1047
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Air West Flight Center, Inc.
- Registered owner: Air West Flight Center, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 3, 1991, 98 hours before
- Airport: 2V2, Vance Brand, runway 29, 4,800 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,750 total, 40 in this make and model, 1,706 as pilot in command, 317 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BJC, 20 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 19920512020599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920512020599A), May 12, 1992: Bbavia 7GCBC, Longmont, CO, Substantial damage. Ground looped during landing,CFI was teaching transtion to tail wheel aircraft.

## Other investigations on N53853 (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 CEN26LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA019), Oct 10, 2025: Bellanca 7GCBC (N53853), Bonilla, SD, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate flight planning and his failure to maintain aircraft control during the precautionary off-airport landing.

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.