# NTSB SEA83LA199: Bellanca Gcbc, N9580S, Spokane, WA, September 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1983, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Spokane, WA
- Coordinates: 47.690826, -117.379173 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6908&lon=-117.3792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39768
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA199
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39768/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA199

## 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
  - touch-and-go - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - approach light/navaid (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR, THE PLT WAS PRACTICING TOUCH & GO LANDINGS. DURING A LANDING, THE ACFT GROUND LOOPED & THE LEFT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER STRUCK A VASI LIGHT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE HAD 4.2 HRS IN THIS MAKE & MODEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9580S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9580S), registered now, S/N 30, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bellanca GCBC
- Registry model: [Champion 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7eca) (registry code 21101NN) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30
- Airframe hours: 991
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: J. B. Richardson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 15, 1982, 82 hours before
- Departed: SFF, SPOKANE, WA
- Airport: SFF, Felts Field, runway 21, 4,500 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 80 total, 4 in this make and model, 43 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SFF

## 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 19830911048659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830911048659A), Sep 11, 1983: Bbavia 7GCBC, Spokane, WA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control during a touch and go. Aircraft ground looped and struck a runway light with its tail.

## Other investigations on N9580S (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 ERA24LA359](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA359), Aug 27, 2024: Champion 7ECA (N9580S), Sussex, NJ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to properly secure the left wing fuel cap, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

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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