# NTSB FTW94LA294: Bellanca 7ECA, N5056V, Englewood, CO, September 9, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1994, 08:50 local (14:50 UTC)
- Place: Englewood, CO
- Coordinates: 39.579284, -104.860664 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5793&lon=-104.8607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19158
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA294
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19158/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA294

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT GROUNDLOOP OF THE AIRPLANE.

## 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
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR IN THE REAR SEAT OPERATED AS PILOT-IN-COMMAND AND WAS DEMONSTRATING A WHEEL LANDING TO THE PILOT IN THE FRONT SEAT. DURING THE WHEEL LANDING, THE AIRPLANE GROUNDLOOPED.

## Factual narrative

On September 9, 1994, at 0850 mountain daylight time, a Bellanca 7ECA, N5056V, was substantially damaged during landing near Englewood, Colorado.  The two certificated flight instructors were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local instructional flight.

The instructor in the aft seat operated as pilot-in-command and was demonstrating a wheel landing to the pilot in the front seat. During the wheel landing on runway 17R, at Centennial Airport,   the airplane groundlooped.  The left main gear separated and damage occurred to the propeller and left wing spars.  Wind was from 210 degrees at 10 knots.  No mechanical malfunctions were reported.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5056V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5056V), registered now, S/N 1156-79, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ECA
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (registry code 1220601) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1156-79
- Airframe hours: 1359
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: P. C. Flyers, Inc.
- Registered owner: Westback, Eugene
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 1994, 54 hours before
- Airport: APA, Centennial, runway 17, 7,000 × 77 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 5,135 total, 27 in this make and model, 4,577 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19940909026159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940909026159A), Sep 9, 1994: Bbavia 7GCBC, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. CFI demo wheel landing. Lost control and ground looped.

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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