# NTSB ERA23LA069: Bellanca 7KCAB, N68531, Accident, MD, October 28, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 28, 2022, 16:00, time zone not recorded - Place: Accident, MD - Coordinates: 39.580798, -79.336014 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5808&lon=-79.3360&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 106347 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA069 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106347/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106347 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA069 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in crosswind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7KCAB, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1220701), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7KCAB, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1220701), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Bellanca 7KCAB, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=1220701), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 7KCAB, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1220701), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Bellanca 7KCAB, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1220701), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Bellanca 7KCAB, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=1220701), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while on a personal flight he was attempting to execute a crosswind landing when the airplane encountered a gust of wind that raised the right wing and the airplane “weather vaned” to the right and into the wind. He applied full left rudder to correct the airplane’s direction but was unable. The airplane departed the right side of the runway, went down an embankment, and nosed over coming to rest nearly inverted. Both wings were substantially damaged during the accident. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N68531](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N68531), registered now, S/N 321-72 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7KCAB - Registry model: [Bellanca 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7kcab) (registry code 1220701) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 321-72 - Year built: 1972 - Airframe hours: 475 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-320 E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 2022, 5 hours before - Departed: 01G, Perry, NY - Destination: AFP, Wadesboro, NC - Airport: 2G4, Garrett County, runway 09, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 28, 2022; seat: front; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 525 total, 10 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.39 inHg - Observed at: 2G4 - METAR: METAR K2G4 282000Z AUTO 15009KT 10SM CLR 08/01 A3039 RMK AO1 ## 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 20221028018449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20221028018449A), Oct 28, 2022: Bellanca 7KCAB, Oakland, MD, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted landing runway 090. First attempt initiated go-arround due to gusting winds. Second attempt successful landing. Encountered gust from 170… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 13, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106347. 15.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 12.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14816114&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=1%20NTSB%20Form%206120_1%20PIC_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� pilot statement to FAA (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 201 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14815568&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=2%20Memorandum%20For%20Record%20Pilot%20Statement%20to%20FAA-Rel.pdf - Photographs (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14815887&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=3%20Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf 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.