# NTSB SEA85LA172: Bellanca 7GCBC, N36137, Moses Lake, WA, July 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1985, 09:39 local (16:39 UTC)
- Place: Moses Lake, WA
- Coordinates: 47.190078, -119.29911 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1901&lon=-119.2991&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): 40204
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40204/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA172

## 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
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A GROUND LOOP OCCURRED DURING LANDING ROLL ON RWY 36. THE WIND AT TOUCHDOWN WAS FROM 210 DEGS AT 5 KTS. THE TWR DID GIVE THE PLT THE CURRENT WIND WHEN THE CONTROLLER CLEARED HIM TO LAND. THE PLT WAS AWARE THAT HE WOULD BE LANDING WITH A LEFT QUARTERING TAIL WIND. HE STATED THAT HE FELT CONFIDENT THAT HE COULD HANDLE THE WIND. THE TWR HAD PREVIOUSLYHAD TRAFFIC LANDING ON RWY 18. THIS WAS THE PLT'S FIRST SOLO FLT IN A TAIL DRAGGER, FOLLOWING 5 HRS OF DUAL INSTRUCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N36137](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N36137), registered now, S/N 542-73, built 1973 (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: 542-73
- Airframe hours: 1723
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Big Bend Community College
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 22, 1985, 61 hours before
- Airport: MWH, Grant County Airport, runway 36, 3,263 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 132 total, 5 in this make and model, 53 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MWH

## 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 19850716036339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850716036339A), Jul 16, 1985: Bbavia 7GCBC, Moses Lake, WA, Substantial damage. Ground looped after downwind 3 point landing. First solo flight in conventional gear aircraft.

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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