# NTSB LAX96LA176: Bellanca 7KCAB, N333JS, Tucson, AZ, April 23, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 23, 1996, 08:25 local (15:25 UTC) - Place: Tucson, AZ - Coordinates: 32.220222, -110.969375 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2202&lon=-110.9694&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 20, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29426 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA176 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29426/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA176 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to adequately compensate for gusting crosswind conditions and to maintain directional control. A factor in the accident was unattended construction equipment parked in close proximity to the runway edge. ## 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 - weather condition - gusts - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - construction area - object - vehicle (contributing factor) - airport operations - improper, airport personnel (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern and noted that the windsock was indicating calm winds. He completed the normal rectangular traffic pattern with no indications of the wind conditions changing. During touchdown a gust of wind from the west raised the right wing, allowing the airplane to drift left. The pilot unsuccessfully attempted to correct the drift and then attempted a go-around. The pilot aborted the go-around when he saw a back hoe in his path. The airplane's left wing then collided with the back hoe, which was parked unattended about 20 to 30 feet from the runway's edge. After the accident, the winds were noted to shift periodically with gusts above 15 miles per hour. ## Factual narrative On April 23, 1996, at 0825 hours mountain standard time, a Bellanca 7KCAB, N333JS, collided with a back hoe after landing on runway 12 at the Avra Valley airport, Tucson, Arizona. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight. The flight originated from the La Cholla Airpark in Tucson about 0755 hours. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot indicated he entered the downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern and noted the windsock was indicating calm winds. He completed the normal rectangular traffic pattern with no indications of the wind conditions changing. He also stated that a gust of wind from the west raised the right wing, allowing the airplane to drift left as it touched down. The pilot immediately applied right aileron and rudder. The wings returned to level and the airplane continued to drift left towards the left shoulder of the runway. He added power and then removed it when he saw a back hoe adjacent to the runway in his path. He was attempting to steer the airplane clear with the rudder pedals when the left wing collided with the back hoe. The pilot stated that the back hoe was parked with the engine running unattended about 20 to 30 feet from the runway's edge. The pilot remained with the airplane for several hours after the accident. During that period he noted the windsock would indicate calm winds with periodic shifting gusts above 15 miles per hour. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N333JS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N333JS), registered now, S/N 612-77, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 7KCAB - Registry model: [Bellanca 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7kcab) (registry code 1220701) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-320-series) (registry code 41500, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Airframe hours: 2200 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-320-E2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Taildragger Pilots Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 40E, CA - Destination: E14 - Airport: E14, Avra Valley, runway 12, 6,901 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 157 total, 31 in this make and model, 157 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TUS, 23 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 19960423010639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960423010639A), Apr 23, 1996: Bbavia 7KCAB, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. Drifted near edge runway due wind gust. Left wing collided with backhoe parked near runway. Backhoe unattended. ## Other investigations on N333JS (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 LAX95LA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA156), Apr 7, 1995: Bellanca 7KCAB (N333JS), Tucson, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate compensation for the prevailing wind conditions which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop. The crosswind and the pilot's lack of familiarity with the aircraft are factors in… 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.