# NTSB SEA08CA169: Bellanca 7GCBC, N50476, Helena, MT, July 27, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 27, 2008, 15:11 local (22:11 UTC)
- Place: Helena, MT
- Coordinates: 46.600276, -111.968612
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6003&lon=-111.9686&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68538
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68538/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=68538
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA169

## Probable cause

The failure of the pilot receiving instruction to adequately compensate for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control.  Also causal was the flight instructor's delayed remedial action and inadequate supervision of the flight.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified; cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 200 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md)
- [Landing gear system: main landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 241 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The private pilot and certified flight instructor (CFI) were performing a series of three-point touch-and-go landings in a tail wheel-equipped airplane when the accident occurred. The CFI reported the airplane touched down on runway 09 in a "side drift" with the front seat private pilot at the controls. The airplane drifted left of the runway centerline as the CFI took the controls in an attempt regain directional control. During his attempt to regain control, the airplane swerved and the left main landing gear collapsed. The left wing subsequently contacted the runway resulting in structural damage.  The CFI reported the wind at the time of the accident was from 050 degrees at 7 knots.

## Factual narrative

The private pilot and certified flight instructor (CFI) were performing a series of three-point touch-and-go landings in a tail wheel-equipped airplane when the accident occurred. The CFI reported the airplane touched down on runway 09 in a "side drift" with the front seat private pilot at the controls. The airplane drifted left of the runway centerline as the CFI took the controls in an attempt regain directional control. During his attempt to regain control, the airplane swerved and the left main landing gear collapsed. The left wing subsequently contacted the runway resulting in structural damage.

The CFI reported the wind at the time of the accident was from 050 degrees at 7 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50476](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N50476), registered now, S/N 1137-79, built 1979 (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: 1137-79
- Airframe hours: 2148
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sleeping Giant Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2008
- Departed: KHLN, Helena, MT
- Destination: KHLN, Helena, MT
- Airport: HLN, Helena Regional, runway 09, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review October 1, 2007; seat: front; flight hours: 541 total, 17 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days
- Flight instructor; age 49; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,639 total, 53 in this make and model, 177 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 20080727840469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080727840469A), Jul 27, 2008: Bbavia 7GCBC, Helena, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 27, 2008, at 1511 MST, a bellana 7GCBC, N50476 registered to sleeping giant flying club, ground looped on runway 9 at the Helena Regional Airport…

## Other investigations on N50476 (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 WPR25LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA194), Jun 30, 2025: Bellanca 7GCBC (N50476), Helena, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing.

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 21, 2008, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=68538. 581 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 581 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40299041&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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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