# NTSB FTW98LA209: Bellanca 8GCBC, N5043N, Usaf Academy, CO, May 2, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 2, 1998, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Usaf Academy, CO - Coordinates: 38.989303, -104.850448 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9893&lon=-104.8504&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20597 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA209 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20597/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA209 ## Probable cause The pilot exceeding the airplane's crosswind component, and his failure to maintain directional control. Factors were the crosswind and gusts. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - crosswind component - exceeded, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis After towing a glider aloft and releasing it, the pilot returned to the airport and landed on runway 16R. He said the wind was reported to be from the east 'and within crosswind limits.' Upon touchdown, 'an extra strong gust appeared to hit very suddenly and unexpectedly.' The pilot used aileron and rudder in an attempt to maintain runway alignment, but the left wing, then the right wing, contacted the runway, and the airplane veered left, departed the runway, and nosed over. The pilot said the tower had received a warning for wind gusts over 25 knots at about the time he touched down, but had not had time to broadcast this information. There were 'small thunderstorms and nimbocumulus (clouds) all over the area, the nearest about 1-2 miles northeast.' According to the Bellanca 8GCBC Airplane Flight Manual, the demonstrated crosswind velocity is 15 knots. Under the conditions reported by the pilot, the crosswind component was between 25 and 30 knots. ## Factual narrative On May 2, 1998, approximately 1530 mountain daylight time, N5043N, a Bellanca 8GCBC, operated by Fischer Agency, Inc., was substantially damaged when it veered off the runway and nosed over during landing at the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado. The airline transport rated pilot, the sole occupant onboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated 15 minutes prior to the accident. The pilot said that after towing a glider aloft and releasing it, he returned to the airport and landed on runway 16R. He said the wind was reported to be from the east "and within crosswind limits." The crosswind "did not seem to be very strong until after touchdown, when an extra strong gust appeared to hit very suddenly and unexpectedly." The pilot used aileron and rudder to maintain runway alignment, but the left wing "seemed to touch the runway momentarily," then the "right wing went down very suddenly and stayed down." The airplane veered left and departed the runway with the right wing dragging against the ground. The aircraft slowed rapidly and nosed over. The pilot said the tower had received a warning for wind gusts over 25 knots at about the time he touched down, but had not had time to broadcast this information. There were "small thunderstorms and nimbocumulus (clouds) all over the area, the nearest about 1-2 miles northeast." The pilot added that "this was the most concentrated, localized, and gustiest wind condition" he had ever encountered in the 20,000 landings he has made at the Academy. He said there are wind sensors at each end of the runway, and several wind socks around the field. The wind sock opposite the accident site "was straight out and at right angles to the runway." According to the Bellanca 8GCBC Airplane Flight Manual, the demonstrated crosswind velocity is 15 knots. Under the conditions reported by the pilot, the crosswind component was between 25 and 30 knots. Only minor damage was thought to have been incurred, but a later and more detailed examination disclosed a cracked right wing rear spar. The right wing tip and right wheel hub were also destroyed. ## Aircraft - Registration: N5043N (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 8GCBC - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 302-79 - Airframe hours: 13373 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C2E 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: Unknown - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Fischer Agency, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 13, 1998, 73 hours before - Departed: AFA - Airport: AFF, Usaf Academy, runway 16R, 4,500 × 40 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 12,138 total, 5,500 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: COS, 11 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 19980502015469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980502015469A), May 2, 1998: Bbavia 8GCBC, Colorado Spring, CO, Substantial damage. Nosed over landing in gusty crosswind. Reported wind picked up a wing. Lost control with 5500 hrs in type. (.4)after towing a glider aloft and releasing it,… 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.