# NTSB MKC86LA007: Bellanca 7GCBC, N31272, Dumas, AR, October 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1985, 11:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Dumas, AR
- Coordinates: 33.880302, -91.479576 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8803&lon=-91.4796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34102
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34102/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA007

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with weather, landing - roll
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

ON LANDING AT A PVT SOD STRIP NEAR DUMAS, THE PLT STATED HE ENCOUNTERED A STRONG CROSSWIND. THE CROSSWIND FORCED HIS ACFT TO VEER OFF THE SIDE OF THE RWY. AFTER VEERING OFF THE RWY THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE GROUND SUSTAINING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE WING SPAR. REPORTED WINDS IN THE PINE BLUFF AREA WERE FM 310 DEGREES MAGNETIC AT 12 KNOTS. A WITNESS AT THE AIRSTRIP TOLD THE PLT THAT SEVERAL WHIRLWINDS HAD PRECEDED HIS LANDING. THE PINE BLUFF RPTING STATION IS 40 MILES NORTHWEST OF DUMAS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31272](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N31272), registered now, S/N 406-72, built 1972 (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: 406-72
- Engines: LYCOMING P-360-C2E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jack S. Stearns, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 25, 1985, 301 hours before
- Departed: PBF, PINE BLUFF, AR
- Destination: DUMAS, AR
- Airport: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 353 total, 15 in this make and model, 237 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBF, 25 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).

- [Incident 19851005053069I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851005053069I), Oct 5, 1985: Bbavia 7GCBC, Dumas, AR, Minor damage. Aircraft ground looped during landing in gusty crosswind conditions.

## Other investigations on N31272 (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 FTW80DPD01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80DPD01), Oct 3, 1979: Bellanca 7GCBC (N31272), Little Rock, AR, substantial damage

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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