# NTSB FTW94LA292: Bellanca 7GCBC, N8843, Elbert, CO, September 5, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1994, 13:55 local (19:55 UTC)
- Place: Elbert, CO
- Coordinates: 39.220542, -104.530082 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2205&lon=-104.5301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19157
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA292
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19157/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA292

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WINDS. A FACTOR WAS THE UNFAVORABLE VARIABLE WINDS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear strut - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A DOWNWIND PATTERN ENTRY FOR A LANDING TO THE NORTH. THE WINDS WERE VARIABLE FROM THE SOUTH-SOUTHEAST AT 10 KNOTS. DURING THE FINAL DESCENT RATE OF 500 FPM, THE PILOT ADDED BACK PRESSURE ON THE CONTROL STICK TO ARREST THE DESCENT RATE. DURING THE HARD LANDING, THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR SEPARATED DUE TO OVERLOAD AND THE RIGHT WING HIT THE GROUND. SUBSEQUENTLY THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED, SLID ABOUT 125 FEET DOWN THE RUNWAY AND CAME TO REST 25 FEET BEYOND THE EDGE OF THE RUNWAY.

## Factual narrative

On September 5, 1995, at 1355 mountain daylight time, a Bellanca 7GCBC, N8843, was substantially damaged during landing near Elbert, Colorado.  The commercial pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial tow flight.

The following paragraph is based on the enclosed pilot/operator report.  The flight was returning to the airstrip from the 14th tow flight for the day.  Winds were from the south-southeast at 10 knots.  A downwind pattern entry was made for landing to the north.  During the base entry the pilot added power to 1,500 RPM to slow the rate of descent.  With a final approach descent rate of 500 feet per minute, the pilot added back pressure on the control stick to arrest the descent rate.  During the landing, the right main gear separated and the right wing struck the runway.  Subsequently, the airplane ground looped, slid about 150 feet down the runway, and came to rest 25 feet beyond the edge of the runway.

Damage reported to the gear was stated by the operator as impact overload.  The operator also reported spar damage on the right wing, horizontal stabilizer, and right elevator.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8843 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCBC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 474-73
- Airframe hours: 2669
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A-4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Soar Black Forest
- Registered owner: Tow Black Forest, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 11, 1993, 177 hours before
- Airport: CO15, Kelly, runway 35, 3,800 × 40 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 695 total, 636 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19940905025509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940905025509A), Sep 5, 1994: Bbavia 7GCBC, Elbert, CO, Substantial damage. Landed hard downwind. Collapsed right main gear. Ground looped damaging wing. Slid off runway. Variable winds.

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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