# NTSB SEA92LA144: Bellanca 7GCBC, N36031, Wenatchee, WA, July 4, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1992, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Wenatchee, WA
- Coordinates: 47.369018, -120.35054 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3690&lon=-120.3505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42848
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42848/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA144

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING, RESULTING IN A GROUND LOOP AND AIRCRAFT IMPACT WITH TERRAIN.  A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS ON LANDING, AND THE AIRCRAFT SWERVED OFF THE RUNWAY DURING LANDING ROLL, GROUND LOOPED, AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS BANNER TOWING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N36031](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N36031), registered now, S/N 540-73, 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: 540-73
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Bryant, Stanley N.
- Registered owner: Bryant, Stanley N.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 3, 1992, 30 hours before
- Airport: EAT, Pangborn Memorial, runway 25, 4,362 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,666 total, 108 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 13 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920704023829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920704023829A), Jul 4, 1992: Bbavia 7GCBC, Wenatchee, WA, Substantial damage. Gusty winds landing. Swerved off runway and ground looped landing after banner tow flight.

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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