# NTSB MKC86LA076: Bellanca 7GCBC, N5055G, St.Charles, MO, March 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1986, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: St.Charles, MO
- Coordinates: 38.789573, -90.510032 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7896&lon=-90.5100&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): 34152
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34152/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA076

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - roll
  - landing gear,axle - overload (cause)
  - proper descent rate - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PIC WAS NERVOUSLY CONCERNED ABOUT AN ACFT THAT WAS CLOSE BEHIND HIM IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. THE PIC LANDED FAST ON THE RWY AND THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR AXLE BROKE. THE GEAR LEG DUG INTO THE RWY AND THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE INTO THE SOFT TERRAIN WHICH GROUND LOOPED THE ACFT AND DAMAGED THE WING. THE PIC STATED HE ALSO ENCOUNTERED A SHIFT IN WINDS DURING THE LANDING AND TOUCHDOWN. AN INSPECTION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE REVEALED A TIRE SKIDMARK ON THE RWY PRIOR TO THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR AXLE BREAKING FREE FROM THE LANDING GEAR. THE RECORDED WINDS WERE FM 240 DEGREES AT 6 KNOTS. NO EVIDENCE OF PREEXISTING CRACKING OF THE AXLE WAS DISCOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5055G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5055G), registered now, S/N 1135-79, built 1979 (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: 1135-79
- Airframe hours: 2092
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: St. Charles Flying Serv.
- Registered owner: Felts Bradshaw Aircraft Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 12, 1986, 11 hours before
- Departed: 3SQ, ST. CHARLES, MO
- Airport: 3SQ, St. Charles, runway 27, 3,500 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 109 total, 21 in this make and model, 67 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: STL, 8 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 19860330008439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860330008439A), Mar 30, 1986: Bbavia 7GCBC, Saint Charles, MO, Substantial damage. Drifted on landing,broke off right gear axle. Veered off the runway side and ground looped,collapsing landing gear.

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.