# NTSB IAD97LA058: Bellanca 8KCAB, N1118E, Warrenton, VA, March 28, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 28, 1997, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Warrenton, VA - Location: 38.7154° N, 77.7976° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Warrenton, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7154&lon=-77.7976&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28182 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD97LA058 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28182/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97LA058 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. The crosswind was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the wind was approximately 16 to 18 knots with the windsock at a direct 90 degree crosswind to runway 14. The pilot stated that he did a go-around on his first landing attempt, because the two main gear did not touch at the same time. According to him, on the second landing attempt, the airplane encountered a gust of wind, and the tail shifted, which he corrected with aileron. The pilot stated that after passing trees on the side of the runway, a second gust of wind caught the tail, and the airplane went off the runway. According to the pilot, he added power to avoid a nose over and to jump a ditch. The pilot shut down engine power in an unsuccessful attempt to avoid striking trees, which were located adjacent to the runway at about three-quarters of its length. ## Factual narrative On March 28, 1997, at about 1415 eastern standard time, N1118E, a Bellanca 8KCAB, owned and operated by the private pilot sustained substantial damage when it impacted trees off the side of the runway while on approach to runway 14, at the Warrenton/Fauquier Airport in Warrenton, Virginia. The pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan was filed for this local flight. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, the wind was approximately 16-18 knots with the wind sock at a direct 90 degree crosswind to runway 14. The pilot stated that he did a go-around on his first landing attempt because the two main gear did not touch at the same time. According to the pilot, on the second landing attempt, a gust of wind forced the tail to shift which he corrected with aileron. The pilot stated after passing trees on the side of the runway, a second gust of wind caught the tail and pushed the airplane off of the runway. According to the pilot, he added power to avoid a nose over and jump a ditch. The pilot believed the airplane was certain to hit the trees, so he shut down as impact occurred. According to the FAA, the airplane hit the trees first with the right wing forcing it to spin around. The FAA stated the airplane hit the trees about 3/4 of the way down runway 14. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1118E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1118E-2004-10-20), registration cancelled 2004-10-20, S/N 304-77, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 8KCAB - Registry model: [Bellanca 8KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8kcab) (registry code 1220801) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 304-77 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David C. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Departed: VA36, FORK UNION, VA - Airport: W66, Faquier, runway 14, 4,103 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 170 total, 90 in this make and model, 90 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 16 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Temperature: 61 °F ## 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 19970328048089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970328048089A), Mar 28, 1997: Bbavia 8KCAB, Midland, VA, Substantial damage. (-16) With RH crosswind on rw 14 pilot executed a go-around on the first approach. On the second attempt, the aircraft went right of the runway. The pilot… 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.