# NTSB LAX00LA303: Bellanca 8GCBC, N8638V, Reno, NV, August 16, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 16, 2000, 09:35 local (16:35 UTC) - Place: Reno, NV - Coordinates: 39.489253, -119.840057 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4893&lon=-119.8401&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 27, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50010 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA303 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50010/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA303 ## Probable cause The fatigue failure and separation of the right main landing gear. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear strut - fatigue (cause) - landing gear,main gear strut - separation (cause) ## Analysis The right main landing gear collapsed during the landing rollout at a private dirt glider airstrip. The pilot said that he made a 3-point landing after towing a glider aloft. The airplane bounced slightly on touchdown and, on the second ground contact, the pilot heard a snap sound and the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane fell down on the right wing and spun around in the dirt. An FAA airworthiness inspector examined the airplane and the runway. The inspector observed the two touchdown markings on the dirt runway and reported that they were about 12-feet apart and not heavy impressions. About 20 feet beyond the second touchdown point, drag markings consistent with a separated main landing gear were found. The inspector reported that the right main landing gear strut separated near the fuselage with a transverse fracture. A majority of the fracture face appeared dirty and rusty, with the remaining portion exhibiting a pattern of beach markings and a chevron-like pattern near the edge opposite the discolored portion. According to the operator, this airplane has been used exclusively for glider tow operations and has accumulated over 4,000 flight hours. The operator and the FAA inspector estimated the total number of landing cycles somewhere between 15,000 and 16,000 for the life of the part. ## Factual narrative On August 16, 2000, at 0935 hours Pacific daylight time, a Bellanca 8GCBC, N8638V, collapsed the landing gear during landing rollout at a private dirt glider airstrip near Reno, Nevada. The airplane was owned and operated by the Nevada Soaring Association and was engaged in glider towing operations under 14 CFR Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. The airplane incurred substantial damage. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and included calm wind conditions. No flight plan was filed for the local area business flight, which originated at the private airstrip about 20 minutes prior to the accident. The pilot reported to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors that he was making a 3-point landing after towing a glider aloft. The airplane bounced slightly on touchdown and, on the second ground contact, the pilot heard a snap sound and the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane fell down on the right wing and spun around in the dirt. An FAA airworthiness inspector from the Reno Flight Standards District Office examined the airplane and the runway. The inspector observed the two touchdown markings on the dirt runway and reported that they were about 12-feet apart and not heavy impressions. About 20 feet beyond the second touchdown point, drag markings consistent with a separated main landing gear were found. The inspector reported that the right main landing gear strut separated near the fuselage with a transverse fracture. A majority of the fracture face appeared dirty and rusty, with the remaining portion exhibiting a pattern of beach markings and a chevron-like pattern. According to the operator, this airplane has been used exclusively for glider tow operations and has accumulated over 4,000 flight hours. The operator and the FAA inspector estimated the total number of landing cycles somewhere between 15,000 and 16,000 for the life of the part. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8638V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8638V), registered now, S/N 162-75, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 8GCBC - Registry model: [Bellanca 8GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8gcbc) (registry code 1220803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 162-75 - Airframe hours: 4000 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Nevada Soaring Association - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 18, 2000, 58 hours before - Airport: Air Sailing Gliderport, runway 35, 7,100 × 150 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; flight instructor, commercial, flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 15,200 total, 210 in this make and model, 14,700 as pilot in command, 71 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 158 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: RNO, 28 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 20000816026899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000816026899A), Aug 16, 2000: Bbavia 8GCBC, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. (-23) This airplane is 25 years old with 5,000 operating hours and has been used exclusively for glider towing. The estimated number of landings or cycles is… ## Other investigations on N8638V (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX01LA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA230), Jul 1, 2001: Bellanca 8GCBC (N8638V), Nixon, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to attain the proper touchdown point and his misjudged distance/speed during landing rollout. Factors were the tailwind condition and the downhill landing area. 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.