# NTSB SEA99LA154: Bellanca 7GCBC, N8525, Columbus, MT, September 4, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1999, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Columbus, MT
- Coordinates: 45.719764, -109.229759 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7198&lon=-109.2298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 47344
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47344/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA154

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control.  A wet runway surface was a factor.

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during the landing roll on a wet runway surface, he applied braking action and the airplane skidded to the right and veered off the runway.  The aircraft ground-looped and came to rest in the mud next to the runway.  The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident.

## Factual narrative

On September 4, 1999, approximately 0830 mountain daylight time, a Bellanca 7GCBC, N8525, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged in a ground loop on landing at Columbus, Montana.  The private pilot-in-command and his passenger were not injured in the accident.  The 14 CFR 91 personal flight originated at Laurel, Montana, about 30 minutes prior to the accident.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that the runway was wet or damp.  The sky was clear, with calm winds.  During the landing roll, braking action was applied and the aircraft skidded to the right and veered off the runway.  The aircraft ground-looped and came to rest in the mud next to the runway.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time of the accident.

## 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
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8525](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8525-2018-03-08), registration cancelled 2018-03-08, S/N 448-73, 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: 448-73
- Airframe hours: 525
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lon E. Morris
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 1999, 25 hours before
- Departed: 6S8, LAUREL, MT
- Destination: 6S3
- Airport: 6S3, Columbus, runway 28, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 422 total, 21 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BIL, 32 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 19990904047569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990904047569A), Sep 4, 1999: Bbavia 7GCBC, Columbus, MT, Substantial damage. (.4) The pilot reported that during the landing roll on a wet runway surface, he applied braking action and the airplane skidded to the right and veered off…

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.