# NTSB NYC92LA172: Bellanca 7ECA, N50264, West Mifflin, PA, August 22, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1992, 13:21 local (17:21 UTC)
- Place: West Mifflin, PA
- Coordinates: 40.360149, -79.900749 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3601&lon=-79.9007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37215
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37215/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA172

## Probable cause

THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY GROUND LOOPED THE AIRPLANE WHICH RESULTED IN THE MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSING.  A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LIMITED FLIGHT TIME IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL AIRPLANE.

## 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
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - collapsed (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD MADE MULTIPLE TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS AND TAKEOFFS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.  ON THE LANDING THAT TERMINATED IN THE ACCIDENT, THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED TO THE RIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSING.  BOTH BRAKES AND THE STEERABLE TAIL WHEEL WERE EXAMINED BY THE FAA AND NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND.  THE PILOT HAD LOGGED A TOTAL OF 4 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50264](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N50264), registered now, S/N 1328-79, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ECA
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7eca) (registry code 1220460) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1328-79
- Airframe hours: 1581
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-K2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: O.T. Aviation
- Registered owner: O.T. Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 9, 1992, 23 hours before
- Departed: AGC
- Airport: AGC, Alleghany County, runway 28, 6,500 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,955 total, 4 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 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 19920822032579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920822032579A), Aug 22, 1992: Bbavia 7ECA, Pittsburgh, PA, Substantial damage. Multiple landings. Last one ground looped right. Folded left main gear. Pilots low time in tail dragger a factor.

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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