# NTSB GAA16CA294: Bellanca 17 30, N14753, Fredericksburg, VA, June 8, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 8, 2016, 17:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Fredericksburg, VA - Coordinates: 38.266109, -77.449447 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2661&lon=-77.4494&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93347 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA294 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93347/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93347 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA294 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting wind resulting in a runway excursion and substantial damage. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bellanca 17-30A, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1220433), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during the landing roll in gusting wind, the airplane made a sharp turn to the right and exited the runway. He reported that after passing the ramp area, the aircraft made a sudden turn to the right, and "I was unable to get it turned before leaving the runway and losing braking on the grass." The airplane crossed through the grass safety area and the right wing collided with a tree. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the nose and left main landing gear attachment points. The wind reported at the airport at the time of the accident was 320 degrees true, at 12 knots with gusts to 24 knots, the airplane landed on runway 24. The crosswind component was calculated at18 knots at the time of the accident, and according to the manufacturer, the airplane has a demonstrated direct crosswind component of 20 knots during takeoffs and landings. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies or malfunctions with any portion of the airplane that would have prevented normal flight operations. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, during the landing roll in gusting wind, the airplane made a sharp turn to the right and exited the runway. He reported that after passing the ramp area, the aircraft made a sudden turn to the right, and "I was unable to get it turned before leaving the runway and losing braking on the grass." The airplane crossed through the grass safety area and the right wing collided with a tree. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the nose and left main landing gear attachment points. The wind reported at the airport at the time of the accident was 320 degrees true, at 12 knots with gusts to 24 knots, the airplane landed on runway 24. The crosswind component was calculated at18 knots at the time of the accident, and according to the manufacturer, the airplane has a demonstrated direct crosswind component of 20 knots during takeoffs and landings. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies or malfunctions with any portion of the airplane that would have prevented normal flight operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N14753](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N14753-2019-05-07), registration cancelled 2019-05-07, S/N 74-30673, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17 30 (A) - Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30a) (registry code 1220433) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 74-30673 - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 1388.91 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-K1 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2015 - Departed: LUK, CINCINNATI, OH - Destination: EZF, Fredericksburg, VA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: EZF, Shannon, runway 24, 2,999 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Onboard weather, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 30, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 696 total, 15 in this make and model, 650 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 12 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: KEZF ## 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 20160608005479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160608005479A), Jun 8, 2016: Bellanca 17-30A, Fredericksburg, VA, Substantial damage. Approx 30KT direct crosswind. Pilot executed one go-around, then lost control on landing from second attempt. Pilot had just purchased aircraft, completed 6… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 23, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93347. 2.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444705&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 3 photos, 791 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444706&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.