# NTSB DFW08CA023: Bellanca 7GCBC, N712J, Arcola, TX, November 3, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 3, 2007, 13:55 local (18:55 UTC)
- Place: Arcola, TX
- Coordinates: 29.506111, -95.476943
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5061&lon=-95.4769&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Houston, Texas
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67009
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67009/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA023

## Probable cause

The loss of control as result of the pilot's failure to compensate for existing wind conditions while landing.  A contributing factor was the gusty crosswind.

## 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
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

The private pilot lost control of the tailwheel-equipped airplane when he encountered a gust of wind from the right while attempting to land on Runway 27.  Before the tailwheel contacted the ground, the tail moved left from the gust of wind causing the airplane to turn into the wind.  The pilot was unable to compensate for gust of wind and lost control of the airplane.  An attempt to execute a go-around was unsuccessful, and the airplane drifted off the 100-foot wide asphalt runway.  The airplane contacted standing water in a nearby ditch, nosed over, and came to rest in the inverted position.  The pilot reported the winds were from 290 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 12 knots.  The pilot reported having accumulated a total of 14-hours in the same make and model airplane.

## Factual narrative

The private pilot lost control of the tailwheel-equipped airplane when he encountered a gust of wind from the right while attempting to land on Runway 27.  Before the tailwheel contacted the ground, the tail moved left from the gust of wind causing the airplane to turn into the wind.  The pilot was unable to compensate for gust of wind and lost control of the airplane.  An attempt to execute a go-around was unsuccessful, and the airplane drifted off the 100-foot wide asphalt runway.  The airplane contacted standing water in a nearby ditch, nosed over, and came to rest in the inverted position.  The pilot reported the winds were from 290 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 12 knots.  The pilot reported having accumulated a total of 14-hours in the same make and model airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N712J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N712J-2010-10-08), registration cancelled 2010-10-08, S/N 91576 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bellanca 7GCBC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (registry code 1220601) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 915-76
- Airframe hours: 5693.83
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-7 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Texas Taildraggers, doing business as Texas Taildraggers
- Registered owner: Joy Bowden
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2007
- Departed: GLS, GALVESTON, TX
- Destination: AXH, Arcola, TX
- Airport: AXH, Houston-Southwest, runway 27, 5,003 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2007; seat: front; flight hours: 222 total, 14 in this make and model, 147 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 9 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F
- Altimeter: 30.22 inHg

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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