# NTSB DFW05CA001: Bellanca 7ECA, N5529K, Hearne, TX, October 9, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 9, 2004, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Hearne, TX - Coordinates: 30.871665, -96.622222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8717&lon=-96.6222&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Houston, Texas FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60307 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA001 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60307/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA001 ## Probable cause The excessive taxi speed by the pilot in command resulting in the pilot's loss of control. A contributing factor was the quartering tailwind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - from landing - taxispeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing - object - other ## Analysis The 420-hour commercial pilot was taxiing at approximately 30 knots in a tail-wheel eqipped airplane with an 8-knot quartering tailwind. The airplane veered off to the left of the runway and collided with a bail of hay. The impact forced the airplane to nose-over and come to rest in an inverted position. ## Factual narrative On October 9, 2004, approximately 1100 central daylight time, a Bellanca 7ECA tail-wheel equipped airplane, N5529K, was substantially damaged when it collided with a bail of hay at the Hearne Municipal Airport (LHB) near Hearne, Texas. The commercial pilot was not injured, and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The single-engine airplane was owned and operated by Tailwinds Aviation of Grand Prairie, Texas. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. In a telephone interview with an NTSB representative, the 420-hour pilot reported that he made a 180-degree turn after landing on runway 36 at LHB, and was taxiing to the main ramp at a speed of approximately 30 knots with an 8-knot quartering tailwind. When the ramp was approximately 500-600 feet ahead, the pilot decreased power, and the airplane began to veer off to the left. Subsequently, the pilot applied right rudder and tapped on the left brake. When the airplane continued to veer to the left, the pilot pulled the stick toward himself to force the tail wheel on to the ground. The pilot then applied pressure to both brakes and reported that they were not effective. The airplane collided with a bail of hay approximately 200 feet to the left of the runway. Upon impact, the airplane nosed over and came to rest in an inverted position. Examination of the airplane by an NTSB representative revealed that the rudder and left wing brace were structurally damaged. Additionally, the propeller assembly was detached from the aircraft. On October 14, 2004, a representative from the NTSB performed an examination of the brake system and found that the brake fluid lines were empty of fluid; however, the airplane had come to rest in an inverted position, and the red, oily brake fluid had leaked from the vent of the fluid reservoir and was found in the cockpit above the reservoir, leaking from the engine cowling. A substantial amount of brake fluid was also reported to be found on the ground beneath the engine cowling at the site of the accident. When brake fluid was added through the fluid ports, the brakes worked properly and no leaks were found in the lines. The brake pads were worn to approximately 1/4-inch in thickness, and the left brake rotor exhibited grooves; however, the brakes were fully effective when pressure was applied. At 1049, the automated weather observing system at LHB reported wind from 340 degrees at 7 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, an overcast sky at 900 feet, temperature 70 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 62 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure setting of 29.93 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5529K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5529K), registered now, S/N 1255-78, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 7ECA - Registry model: [Bellanca 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7eca) (registry code 1220460) (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: 1255-78 - Airframe hours: 233109 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-CI 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Taillwinds Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 2004 - Departed: CLL, College Station, TX - Destination: LHB, Hearne, TX - Airport: LHB, Hearne Municipal AIrport, runway 36, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 7, 2004; seat: front; flight hours: 420 total, 40 in this make and model, 120 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: LHB ## 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 20041009026099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041009026099A), Oct 9, 2004: Bbavia 7ECA, Hearne, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated he taxied aircraft downwind after landing, with right quartering tailwind, at high speed with tail wheel off ground. Aircraft exited left… ## Other investigations on N5529K (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 CHI79FEC34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79FEC34), Jun 23, 1979: Bellanca 7ECA (N5529K), Owossow, MI, substantial damage 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.