# NTSB SEA03LA004: Bellanca 7GCBC, N8752, Helena, MT, October 13, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 13, 2002, 17:55 local (23:55 UTC) - Place: Helena, MT - Coordinates: 46.606945, -111.98278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6069&lon=-111.9828&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 17, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55894 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03LA004 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55894/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA004 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tower during an aborted landing. Factors include landing with a tailwind and a tower. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, landing - aborted - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tower(marked) (contributing factor) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that the airplane touched down on runway 09. Shortly after touchdown, the airplane swerved to the right and began to porpoise. The pilot stated she wasn't able to correct the situation and elected to perform a go-around (aborted landing). While performing the maneuver, the airplane collided with a radio tower. At the time of the accident winds were from 260 degrees at 6 knots. ## Factual narrative On October 13, 2002, about 1755 mountain daylight time, a Bellanca 7GCBC, N8752, sustained substantial damage after colliding with a radio tower and terrain shortly after initiating an aborted landing at the Helena Regional Airport, Helena, Montana. The student pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. The airplane is owned by a private party and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) instructional flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The flight originated from the Helena Airport approximately 15 minutes prior to the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight. In a written statement, the pilot reported that the airplane touched down on runway 09. Shortly after touchdown, the airplane swerved to the right and began to porpoise. The pilot stated she wasn't able to correct the situation and elected to perform a go-around. While performing the maneuver, the airplane collided with a radio tower located approximately 1,000 feet south of the runway. The pilot reported that after colliding with the tower, the airplane "…spun and hit the ground" resulting in substantial damage. While on downwind for runway 09, the tower controller reported to the pilot that the winds were from 230 degrees at six knots, and inquired if the pilot would like to switch to runway 23. The pilot declined, and continued the approach and landing to runway 09. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8752](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8752), registered now, S/N 469-73, built 1973 (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: 469-73 - Airframe hours: 1901 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Cornelia Ballou - Registered owner: Margo Brooke - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 20, 2002, 58 hours before - Departed: HLN, Helena, MT - Destination: HLN - Airport: HLN, Helena Regional, runway 090, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 18; injuries: minor; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 137 total, 130 in this make and model, 13 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KHLN ## 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 20021013028819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021013028819A), Oct 13, 2002: Bbavia 7GCBC, Helena, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) Student pilot stated that directional control was lost during a touch-and-go landing. Aircraft drifted off of runway heading into infield area and… ## Other investigations on N8752 (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 DEN76DTC44](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN76DTC44), Aug 12, 1976: Bellanca 7GCBC (N8752), Glenrock, WY, 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. --- 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.