IAD01LA072

NTSB accident investigation · Bellanca 8GCBC · Berlin, MD · June 27, 2001

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
June 27, 2001, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
Place
Berlin, MD
Injuries
1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Landing
Aircraft
N8582VBellanca 8GCBC
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report January 2, 2002
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
20010627017139A
Case key
52583

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll. A factor was the crosswind.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

On ground/water encounter with terrain/waterLanding - roll
Terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
Directional control - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
Weather condition - crosswindFactor

Analysis

During landing roll-out on the 3,000- foot- long 50-foot- wide turf runway, the tailwheel airplane encountered a left crosswind and the left wing started to rise. The pilot tried to correct for the rising wing, but "couldn't get the wing down fast enough." The airplane veered to the right side of the runway, and collided with a mound of dirt. The pilot reported that there was a left crosswind throughout the day, which gusted to 12 knots. Examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical deficiencies.

Factual narrative

On June 27, 2001, at 1500 Eastern Daylight Time, a Bellanca 8GCBC, N8582V, was substantially damaged during landing rollout on runway 36 at Bunting's Field Airport (4MD1), Berlin, Maryland. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the banner towing flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In a telephone interview, the pilot reported that it was normal banner towing day. He landed to the north and was about to bring the tail down when the left wing came up. The pilot tried to correct for it, but "couldn't get the wing down fast enough." The airplane was pushed to the right side of the runway, and the right main tire was pulled into an area of tall weeds. The airplane then struck a dirt pile located in the weeds.

Additionally, the pilot reported a left crosswind, which had been gusting up to 12 knots. A wind sock was located on the field, and the pilot reported that it was "just about fully extended during the day."

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector performed an on-scene investigation. According to the inspector, the right main landing gear had broken off and collapsed. The right wing spar was broken just outboard of the wing strut, and the propeller was bent.

Examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical deficiencies.

The pilot reported a total of 200 hours in tailwheel aircraft, of which 60 hours were in make and model.

Runway 36 was a 3,000-foot-long, by 50-foot-wide turf strip.

Winds reported at Salisbury/Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport (SBY), Salisbury, Maryland, at 1854, were variable at 6 knots.

Aircraft

Registration
N8582V
Reported as
Bellanca 8GCBC
Category
Airplane
Serial number
144-75
Airframe hours
6,352.4
Engine
Lycoming O-360-C2E, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Other work use · Part 91
Registered owner
Ocean Aerial Ads Inc
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · May 23, 2001 · 68.3 hours before
Departed
4MD1 · Berlin, MD
Airport
4MD1 · Bunting'S Field, runway 36, 3,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
18
Injuries
None
Certificate
Commercial
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 1, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Last flight review
April 30, 2001
Seat
Front
Flight hours
474 total · 281 as pilot in command · 146 in the last 90 days · 132 in the last 30 days · 21 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
Variable at 6 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
88 °F, dew point 66 °F
Altimeter
30.28 inHg
Observed at
SBY, 13 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.