# NTSB LAX82DA150: Bellanca 7GCBC, N8943, Deeth, NV, April 29, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 29, 1982, 13:25 local (20:25 UTC)
- Place: Deeth, NV
- Coordinates: 41.010898, -115.280014 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0109&lon=-115.2800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 29, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70431
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70431/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA150

## 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 - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT CHOSE TO LAND ON AN ABANDONED HIGHWAY ON A HEADING OF 240 DEGREES. REPORTEDLY, THE WINDS WERE FROM THE NORTHEAST AT 8 GUSTING 18 KNOTS. WHILE MAKING A WHEEL LANDING, A GUST OF WIND WAS ENCOUNTERED ABOUT WHEN ENOUGH SPEED HAD BEEN LOST TO LOWER THE TAIL. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND IT RAN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8943](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8943-2017-07-20), registration cancelled 2017-07-20, S/N 607-74, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCBC
- 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: 607-74
- Airframe hours: 1100
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Boyd M. Spratling
- Registered owner: Boyd M. Spratling
- Departed: SPRATLING RANCH, NV
- Destination: GATE CITY, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 728 total, 653 in this make and model, 681 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 149 °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 19820429012649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820429012649A), Apr 29, 1982: Bbavia 7GCBC, Deeth, NV, Substantial damage. Landed downwind on a abandoned road. Lost control, ran off road into a ditch and flipped over.

## Other investigations on N8943 (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 ANC01LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA144), Sep 22, 2001: Bellanca 7GCBC (N8943), Mentasta, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions while landing. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, and a variable wind.

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.

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