# NTSB FTW84LA043: Bellanca 7GCBC, N9109L, Capitan, NM, October 17, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1983, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Capitan, NM
- Coordinates: 33.54021, -105.590934 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5402&lon=-105.5909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21197
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21197/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA043

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - loose (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear - fatigue (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ACFT BOUNCED ON LANDING, RESULTING IN THE COLLAPSE OF THE MAIN GEAR & DAMAGE TO THE PROP & LEFT WING. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT THE U-BOLT WHICH ATTACHES THE LEFT MAIN GEAR STRUT TO THE FUSELAGE HAD FAILED DUE TO TENSILE OVERLOAD. SEVERAL PREEXISTING CRACKS WERE FOUND IN THE RADIUS OF THE U-BOLT. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT A CRACK & THAT THE U-BOLT HAD BEEN LOOSE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9109L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9109L), registered now, S/N 299-71, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCBC
- Registry model: [Champion 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcbc) (registry code 21101PK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 299-71
- Airframe hours: 618
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Linas V. Hall
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 9, 1982
- Airport: runway 18, 2,300 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 111 total, 111 in this make and model, 111 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19831017056679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831017056679A), Oct 17, 1983: Bbavia 7GCBC, Capitan, NM, Substantial damage. The u bolt that attaches left landing gear strut failed from tensile overload.

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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