# NTSB FTW99LA210: Bellanca 8GCBC, N141CH, Whitewright, TX, August 5, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 5, 1999, 17:55 local (22:55 UTC) - Place: Whitewright, TX - Coordinates: 33.51086, -96.389015 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5109&lon=-96.3890&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 23, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46935 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA210 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46935/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA210 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control 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, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis The pilot lost control of the tail-wheel equipped airplane during takeoff from his private airstrip. The pilot stated that after the main wheels lifted off of the ground, the airplane 'experienced an abrupt yaw,' which he attempted to counteract with opposite rudder. The airplane started to 'crow hop, each time getting airborne a couple of feet, then returning to the ground.' The pilot was preparing to abort the takeoff; however, the right main landing gear collapsed resulting in the right wing impacting the ground. ## Factual narrative On August 5, 1999, at 1755 central daylight time, a Bellanca 8GCBC tail-wheel equipped airplane, N141CH, was substantially damaged during takeoff from a private grass airstrip near Whitewright, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot. The airline transport pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight was initiating at the time of the accident. In the enclosed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated that the winds were calm. The pilot was taking off to the north from his private grass airstrip. The main wheels lifted off of the ground, and the airplane "experienced an abrupt yaw," which he attempted to counteract with opposite rudder. The aircraft began to "crow hop, each time getting airborne a couple of feet, then returning to the ground." The pilot added that he was preparing to abort the takeoff; however, "the last touchdown collapsed the right main landing gear," resulting in the right wing impacting the ground. According to the pilot, the right wing's wooden spar was structurally damaged, and the propeller blades sustained damage. The pilot had accumulated 10,757 hours of total flight time, of which 19 hours were in the accident airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N141CH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N141CH), registered now, S/N 324-79, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 8GCBC - Registry model: [Bellanca 8GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8gcbc) (registry code 1220803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 324-79 - Airframe hours: 2950 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C2E 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: George Goldthwaite - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 11, 1999, 19 hours before - Departed: NONE - Airport: NONE, None, runway 35, 1,600 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 10,757 total, 19 in this make and model, 7,333 as pilot in command, 173 in the last 90 days, 57 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 100 °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 19990805010799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990805010799A), Aug 5, 1999: Bbavia 8GCBC, Whitewright, TX, Substantial damage. Groundlooped on landing, damaged wing and prop. (-23) "ground looped" on takeoff. Airman stated that shortly after raising the tail of the aircraft off the… 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.