# NTSB NYC85LA075: Bellanca 8GCBC, N2558Z, Colts Neck, NJ, March 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 9, 1985, 11:40 local (16:40 UTC)
- Place: Colts Neck, NJ
- Location: 40.2876° N, 74.1724° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Colts Neck, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2876&lon=-74.1724&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): 35837
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35837/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA075

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear strut - failure,total (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT RETURNED TO THE ARPT AFTER A GLIDER TOW FLT TO LAND. DURING A 3-POINT TOUCHDOWN, THE ACFT HIT A RUT & BOUNCED IN THE AIR. THE PLT RECOVERED & MADE ANOTHER 3-POINT TOUCHDOWN, THEN HEARD A 'LOUD CRACK' & SAW THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR SEPARATE. HE STATED THAT BOTH TOUCHDOWNS WERE SMOOTH. AN EXAM REVEALED THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR HAD FAILED NEAR A U-BOLT ATTACH POINT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2558Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2558Z-2018-05-31), registration cancelled 2018-05-31, S/N 26278 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8GCBC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 8GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8gcbc) (registry code 1220803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 262-78
- Airframe hours: 1105
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C2E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Centrall Jersey Soaring Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 1985, 1 hours before
- Airport: Colts Neck, runway 25, 2,569 × 125 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 11,649 total, 50 in this make and model, 10,623 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850309006319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850309006319A), Mar 9, 1985: Bbavia 8GCBC, Colts Neck, NJ, Substantial damage. Bounced after hitting a rut in the runway. On 2nd touchdown, right main gear snapped off at the u bolt attachment.

## Other investigations on N2558Z (2)

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 LAX03LA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA202), Jun 17, 2003: Bellanca 8GCBC (N2558Z), Williams, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the loss of engine power on takeoff for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB LAX79DUJ46](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79DUJ46), Feb 16, 1979: Bellanca 8GCBC (N2558Z), Dateland, AZ, 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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