# NTSB SEA04CA159: Bellanca 7GCAA, N88373, Sequim, WA, July 23, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 23, 2004, 14:40 local (21:40 UTC) - Place: Sequim, WA - Coordinates: 48.098056, -123.187225 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0981&lon=-123.1872&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 59894 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04CA159 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59894/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04CA159 ## Probable cause Aircraft control not maintained during the landing roll. A factor was the irrigation pipe. ## 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 - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - other (contributing factor) ## Analysis When the aircraft started to veer slightly to the right after landing the pilot pressed the right rudder to correct, got no response, then tried again with the same result. He then pressed the right brake but the airplane continued off the edge of the runway into a grassy area. The airplane subsequently impacted an irrigation pipe causing substantial damage to the right wing. No anomalies with the airplane were detected prior to or during the flight. ## Factual narrative On July 23, 2004, about 1440 pacific daylight time, a Bellanca 7GCAA, N88373, sustained substantial damage subsequent to a loss of control during landing roll at the Sequim Valley Airport, Sequim, Washington. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The flight originated from Port Angeles, Washington, approximately 15 minutes prior to the accident. In a written statement, the pilot reported that after landing on runway 27 the aircraft started [to veer] slightly to the left. He reported that he pressed right rudder to correct and got no response, then tried again with the same result. The pilot stated that he then pressed the right brake, but the airplane continued left at about 30 degrees before going off the runway into the grass. The pilot reported that he then saw an irrigation pipe about 30 feet from the side of the runway. He tried to slow the airplane with both brakes but rotated about another 90 degrees before impacting the pipe, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. In a previous telephone interview with an NTSB investigator, the pilot reported no anomalies with the aircraft prior to or during the accident fight which would have prevented normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N88373](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N88373-2020-04-03), registration cancelled 2020-04-03, S/N 304-74, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 7GCAA - Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcaa) (registry code 1220501) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 304 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Thomas D. Roorda - Registered owner: J V Sakas - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Departed: CLM, Port Angeles, WA - Destination: W28, Sequim, WA - Airport: W28, Sequim Valley Airport, runway 27 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2; flight hours: 1,535 total, 378 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 2 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 20040723018969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040723018969A), Jul 23, 2004: Bbavia 7GCAA, Friendly, MD, Substantial damage. (-23) During landing roll aircraft departed the runway striking an irrigation pipe. Substantial damage to RH wing struts and wing. Pilot stated that after a 3… ## Other investigations on N88373 (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 WPR17FA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA029), Nov 25, 2016: Bellanca 7GCAA (N88373), Glamis, CA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's improper decision to attempt a downwind landing and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering during a go-around and subsequent landing attempt, which resulted in… 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.