# NTSB GAA17CA357: Bellanca 7GCBC, N88237, Edgewood, NM, June 21, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 20, 2017, 17:00 local (Jun 21, 2017, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Edgewood, NM - Coordinates: 35.094722, -106.164443 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0947&lon=-106.1644&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 22, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95419 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA357 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95419/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95419 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA357 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to take off with a gusting tailwind, which resulted in a loss of pitch control during the initial climb and a subsequent hard landing and loss of directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, about 8 seconds into the takeoff roll in gusting wind conditions at high-density altitude, the airplane "suddenly and expectantly lifted off the runway in a steep angle of attack." He added that he immediately reduced power to idle to abort the initial climb, and the airplane "settled back onto the runway but landed hard." He further added that, during the landing roll, he lost directional control, and the airplane veered off the runway, coming to rest in the dirt alongside the runway. The fuselage, left wing, and aileron sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station, 10 nautical miles southeast of the accident airport, reported that, 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 150° at 16 knots, gusting to 25 knots. The pilot reported that he observed the wind from 300° at 8 knots, gusting to 15 knots. He reported that the takeoff was on runway 9. He further reported that the density altitude was 10,000 ft at the departure airport. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, about 8 seconds into the takeoff roll in gusting wind conditions at high density altitude, the airplane "suddenly and expectantly lifted off the runway in a steep angle of attack." He added that, he immediately reduced power to idle to abort the initial climb, and the airplane "settled back onto the runway but landed hard." He further added that, during the landing roll, directional control was lost and the airplane veered off the runway, coming to rest in the dirt alongside the runway. The fuselage, left wing, and aileron sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station, 10 nautical miles southeast of the accident airport, 5 minutes before the accident, reported the wind from 150° at 16 knots, gusting 25 knots. The pilot reported that he observed the wind from 300° at 8 knots, gusting to 15 knots. He reported that the takeoff was on runway 9. He further reported that the density altitude was 10,000 ft. at the departure airport. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N88237](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88237), registered now, S/N 744-74, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCBC (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (registry code 1220601) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 744-74 - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 1390 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, December 21, 2016 - Departed: 1N1, EDGEWOOD, NM - Destination: 1N1, EDGEWOOD, NM - Airport: 1N1, Sandia Airpark Estates East, runway 9, 4,830 × 30 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 4, 2017; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 810 total, 150 in this make and model, 780 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 16 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: K0E0, 10 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 20170620009329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170620009329A), Jun 20, 2017: Bellanca 7GCBC, Edgewood, NM, Substantial damage. On June 20, 2017, at 1700 MDT, a Bellanca 7GCBC, N88237, registered to [privacy data omitted], departed runway 09 at Sandia airpark (1N1), Sandia Park, NM… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 31, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95419. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455819&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 243 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455820&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.