# NTSB SEA06LA164: Bellanca 8GCBC, N4109Y, Townsend, MT, August 19, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 2006, 15:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: Townsend, MT
- Coordinates: 46.46389, -111.509719
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4639&lon=-111.5097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 26, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64726
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA06LA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64726/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06LA164

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while intentionally maneuvering low to the ground.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - low altitude flight/maneuver - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

The pilot was performing a low level fly-by to find some of his friends who were camping in the area.  A witness reported that the airplane made multiple low passes over open terrain; on the last pass, the left wing struck the ground and the airplane cartwheeled before coming to rest.  The pilot reported that the left wing was bent up from the mid-section outboard, and the fuselage was crushed and wrinkled.

## Factual narrative

On August 19, 2006, at approximately 1510 mountain daylight time, a Bellanca 8GCBC (Scout), N4109Y, was substantially damaged following impact with terrain near Lower Duck Creek Rd., Townsend, Montana.  The private pilot, the sole person on board, was seriously injured.  The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight which originated from Missoula, Montana, approximately 2 hours, 10 minutes, before the accident.  The pilot had not filed a flight plan.

The pilot said that he was performing a fly-by at Duck Creek to find some of his friends who were camping there.  A witness reported that the airplane made multiple low passes over open terrain; on the last pass, the left wing struck the ground.  The airplane cartwheeled and came to rest on the ground.  The pilot reported that the left wing was bent up from the mid-section outboard, and the fuselage was crushed and wrinkled.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4109Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Bellanca 8GCBC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 231-76
- Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kevin B. Haggerty
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2005
- Departed: MSO, Missoula, MT
- Destination: BZN, Bozeman, MT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2006; seat: front; flight hours: 642 total, 426 in this make and model, 529 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observed at: HLN, 30 nm away

## 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 20060819017169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060819017169A), Aug 19, 2006: Bbavia 8GCBC, Canyonferrylake, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 19, 2006 at 1500 MDT, a Bellanca 8GCBC, N4109Y, registered to the pilot [privacy data omitted] collided with the ground on the east side of…

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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