# NTSB NYC96LA069: Bellanca 7KCAB, N7807S, South Wales, NY, March 1, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 1, 1996, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: South Wales, NY - Coordinates: 42.699985, -78.530403 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7000&lon=-78.5304&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 20, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39155 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA069 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39155/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA069 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper flare and failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor) - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot had practiced two takeoffs and landings at his base airstrip, then departed the pattern and flew to another airstrip for five touch-and-go landings. He then flew back to his base airstrip and established the airplane on an approach to runway 29. The pilot stated that while on final approach, the airplane's angle of descent was low, and he added power to maintain altitude. After clearing the trees at the end of the runway, he then leveled the nose for a short field landing. The pilot stated that the airplane did not respond and he 'pulled the stick full aft and made a hard landing.' After landing, the airplane veered right, and the right wing struck trees along the side of the runway. The pilot estimated that the winds were from 300 degrees at 22 knots, gusting to 25. The sod strip was about 4,000 feet long, 100 feet wide, and surrounded by 75-foot high trees on all sides. ## Factual narrative On March 1, 1996, at 1500 eastern standard time, a Bellanca 7KCAB, N7807S, was substantially damaged during landing at a private airstrip near South Wales, New York. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated from South Wales, at 1400. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that he performed 2 takeoffs and landings at the South Wales Airport. He then departed the pattern and flew to another airstrip where he performed five touch and go landings. The pilot then flew back to South Wales and established the airplane on an approach to runway 29. He further stated: "...I made a normal approach to runway 29 and found my angle of descent was too low, so I added power to maintain altitude. After clearing the trees at the end of runway 29, I leveled the nose for a short field landing. The plane did not respond...I pulled the stick full aft and made a hard landing. The aircraft then made a turn to the right and...the right wing struck a tree...When I exited the aircraft I saw the tail wheel was bent to the right..." The pilot reported that the winds were from 300 degrees at 22 knots, gusting to 25. According to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the runway was 4,000 feet long, 100 feet wide, and surrounded by 75 foot high trees on all sides. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7807S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7807S), registered now, S/N 584-76, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 7KCAB - Registry model: [Bellanca 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7kcab) (registry code 1220701) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 584-76 - Airframe hours: 520 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-320-E2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William L. Christie - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1995, 4 hours before - Departed: NONE - Airport: NONE, South Wales, runway 29, 4,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,056 total, 338 in this make and model, 1,056 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 22 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 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 19960301047509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960301047509A), Mar 1, 1996: Bbavia 7KCAB, Southwales, NY, Substantial damage. (-16) Aircraft landed with drift to right - swerved into trees alongside flight strip. 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.