# NTSB SEA04CA037: Bellanca 8KCAB, N727MR, Bend, OR, December 30, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 30, 2003, 13:10 local (21:10 UTC) - Place: Bend, OR - Coordinates: 44.094722, -121.200553 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0947&lon=-121.2006&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 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 58683 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04CA037 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58683/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04CA037 ## Probable cause Directional control not maintained during landing. Factors include an icy runway and a snow bank. ## 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 - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The private pilot reported that just after landing (wheel landing), and after reducing engine power to idle, the aircraft began to track to the left. The pilot reported that he applied right rudder and corrective action, however, the airplane continued to track to the left of centerline. The airplane eventually exited the runway edge, encountered a two-foot snow bank, and nosed over. The pilot reported that the landing runway was "extremely icy" at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On December 30, 2003, about 1310 Pacific standard time, a tail-wheel equipped Bellanca 8KCAB (Super Decathlon), N727MR, sustained substantial damage when the airplane nosed-over during landing at the Bend Municipal Airport, Bend, Oregon. The airplane is owned by Tail Wheel Excursion, LLC, and was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private pilot and passenger aboard the airplane were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had been activated for the flight that originated from Hillsboro, Oregon, approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes prior to the accident. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board IIC, on January 29, and a subsequent written statement dated January 30, the pilot reported that just after landing on runway 16 (wheel landing), and after reducing engine power to idle, the aircraft began to track to the left. The pilot reported that he applied right rudder and corrective action, however, the airplane continued to track to the left of centerline. The airplane eventually exited the runway edge, encountered a two-foot snow bank, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing spar assembly. The pilot reported that the landing runway (16) was "extremely icy" at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N727MR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N727MR), registered now, S/N 494-79, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 8KCAB - Registry model: [Bellanca 8KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8kcab) (registry code 1220801) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 494-79 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William D. Gonce - Registered owner: Tailwheel Excursions, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Departed: 7S3, HILLSBORO, OR - Destination: S07, BEND, OR - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: S07, Bend Muni, runway 16, ice ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 243 total, 65 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20031230034489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031230034489A), Dec 30, 2003: Bbavia 8KCAB, Bend, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) N727MR departed 16@S07 10:20 am PST, 12/30/03, landing at 7S3 at 11:20 am PST on wet pavement, puddles on runway, and thin, icy patches. Departed 20@7S3,… 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.