# NTSB FTW97LA260: Bellanca 7ECA, N2583F, Sonora, TX, July 9, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 9, 1997, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Sonora, TX - Coordinates: 30.569417, -100.639053 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5694&lon=-100.6391&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20276 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA260 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20276/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA260 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control during landing roll. A factor was gusty wind conditions. ## 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 - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence (contributing factor) ## Analysis In a written statement, the pilot stated that the UNICOM reported the winds '14 gusting to 20, generally down the runway.' During the landing roll, the airplane was 'struck by a strong gust of wind which caused the airplane to float and turn 30 to 45 degrees to the left.' Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway. The pilot then applied power to initiate a climb and avoid a 4-foot drainage ditch running parallel to the runway. The airplane then contacted brush and a fence on the opposite side of the ditch. ## Factual narrative On July 9, 1997, at approximately 1530 central daylight time, a Bellanca 7ECA airplane, N2583F, was substantially damaged when it impacted a fence and terrain following a loss of control during landing on runway 18 at Sonora Municipal Airport near Sonora, Texas. Both occupants, the commercial pilot and one passenger, were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot and a private individual under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from Junction, Texas, at 1435. In a telephone interview, the airport manager reported that he saw the airplane touch down on runway 18. After exiting his office, he noticed that the airplane had struck a fence, approximately 150 feet from and parallel to the left side of runway 18. According to the airport manager, the left wing sustained structural damage and the left main landing gear was found separated from the airframe. In a written statement, the pilot stated that the UNICOM reported the winds "14 gusting to 20, generally down the runway." The pilot reported that the approach was turbulent, "with noticeable windshear." He further stated that, during the landing roll-out, aircraft was "struck by a strong wind gust which caused the aircraft to float and turn 30 to 45 degrees to the left." Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway. After the airplane exited the runway the pilot noticed a 4 foot deep drainage ditch extending parallel to the length of the runway. He then applied "full" power to climb and avoid the ditch. After clearing the ditch, the airplane struck brush behind the ditch and a wire fence that borders the airport. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2583F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2583F), registered now, S/N 214 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 7ECA - Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 214 - Airframe hours: 2280 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert Priest - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1996, 4 hours before - Departed: JCT, JUNCTION, TX - Destination: E29, TX - Airport: E29, Sonora, runway 18, 4,037 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,095 total, 15 in this make and model, 1,930 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 14 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SJT, 49 nm away ## 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 19970709017379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970709017379A), Jul 9, 1997: Bbavia 7ECA, Sonora, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft veered off the runway after landing. (.4)in a written statement, the pilot stated that the UNICOM reported the winds '14 gusting to 20, generally down… ## Other investigations on N2583F (3) 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. - [NTSB LAX04CA307](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA307), Aug 29, 2004: Champion 7ECA (N2583F), Williams, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind condition and his failure to maintain directional/airplane control during landing rollout. Contributing factors were the gusty crosswind and the… - [NTSB LAX78DUJ48](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78DUJ48), Apr 20, 1978: Citabria 7ECA (N2583F), Palominas, AZ, substantial damage - [NTSB LAX67D0127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX67D0127), Sep 4, 1966: Champion 7ECA (N2583F), Sierra Vista, AZ, substantial damage 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.