# NTSB GAA17CA234: Bellanca 8KCAB, N55067, Stafford, KS, April 9, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 9, 2017, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Stafford, KS - Coordinates: 37.958332, -98.650276 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9583&lon=-98.6503&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 5, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95010 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA234 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95010/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95010 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA234 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. ## 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 8KCAB, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1220801), [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 8KCAB, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1220801), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Terrain: wet/muddy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Bellanca 8KCAB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md?model=1220801), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Bellanca 8KCAB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=1220801), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Bellanca 8KCAB, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1220801), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 8KCAB, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1220801), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Bellanca 8KCAB, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=1220801), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bellanca 8KCAB, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1220801), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the takeoff roll, as the airplane crested a hill about a third of the way down the grass runway, the airplane was close to the right edge of the runway. He added that he could not clearly distinguish the runway edges and applied left rudder, but in doing so, the airplane departed the runway surface to the left and nosed over in rough muddy terrain. The left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the takeoff roll, as the airplane crested a hill about 1/3 of the way down the grass runway, the airplane was close to the right edge of the runway. He added that he could not clearly distinguish the runway edges and applied left rudder, but in doing so, the airplane departed the runway surface to the left and nosed over in rough muddy terrain. The left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N55067](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55067), registered now, S/N 428-78, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8KCAB (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Bellanca 8KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8kcab) (registry code 1220801) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-320-series) (registry code 41500, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 428-78 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 2679.25 - Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-320-ETE 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 3, 2017 - Departed: 3TA, STAFFORD, KS - Destination: LQR, LARNED, KS - Airport: 3TA, Stafford Muni, runway 13, 1,900 × 80 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 86; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 24, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 21,038 total, 1,464 in this make and model, 20,772 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.62 inHg - Observed at: KPTT, 15 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 20170409008449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170409008449A), Apr 9, 2017: Bellanca 8KCAB, Stafford, KS, Substantial damage. According to the pilot[privacy data omitted], the accident occurred during take-off. The airport has turf runways which were wet after rain. A large open area… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 14, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95010. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 942 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453061&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 521 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453062&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Additional Pilot Statement (item 3, .PDF, 110 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453063&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Additional%20Pilot%20Statement-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.