# NTSB WPR14CA384: Bellanca 7GCBC, N714TM, Meadow Creek, MT, September 20, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 20, 2014, 09:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Meadow Creek, MT - Coordinates: 47.849445, -113.417503 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8494&lon=-113.4175&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 90131 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA384 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90131/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90131 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA384 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate landing flare and failure to maintain aircraft control during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); 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 roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis Upon arrival in the vicinity of the unpaved airstrip, the pilot made a "mid-field fly over" to check the wind socks, which indicated calm winds. He then flew a low pass along the runway in order to ensure that it was suitable for landing. Satisfied with the wind and runway conditions, he flew a normal traffic pattern for landing. The tailwheel equipped airplane touched down in a 3-point attitude, but rebounded into the air. In accordance with previous experience, the pilot applied forward stick to "stop the bounce," and the airplane continued down the runway on the main gear. According to the pilot, the main wheels "hit a dip" which resulted in a nose down pitching that the pilot was unable to arrest. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. A postaccident examination of the runway revealed no obvious holes or impediments in the landing strip surface. It was noted that one wind sock on the airport was situated so close to significantly taller trees that it would not have provided valid wind speed or direction information. Review of meteorological information indicated that light winds prevailed for the region. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative Upon arrival in the vicinity of the unpaved airstrip, the pilot made a "mid-field fly over" to check the wind socks, which indicated calm winds. He then flew a low pass along the runway in order to ensure that it was suitable for landing. Satisfied with the wind and runway conditions, he flew a normal traffic pattern for landing. The tailwheel equipped airplane touched down in a 3-point attitude, but rebounded into the air. In accordance with previous experience, the pilot applied forward stick to "stop the bounce," and the airplane continued down the runway on the main gear. According to the pilot, the main wheels "hit a dip" which resulted in a nose down pitching that the pilot was unable to arrest. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. A postaccident examination of the runway revealed no obvious holes or impediments in the landing strip surface. It was noted that one wind sock on the airport was situated so close to significantly taller trees that it would not have provided valid wind speed or direction information. Review of meteorological information indicated that light winds prevailed for the region. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N714TM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N714TM), registered now, S/N 348-72, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCBC (NO SERIES) - 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: 348-72 - Year built: 1972 - Airframe hours: 1873 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Sleeping Giant Flying Club Inc - Registered owner: Sleeping Giant Flying Club Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 19, 2013 - Departed: 3U7, Benchmark, MT - Destination: 0S1, Meadow Creek, MT - Airport: 0S1, Meadow Creek USFS, runway 35, 2,830 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 21, 2014; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 211 total, 22 in this make and model, 82 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - 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 20140920017369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140920017369A), Sep 20, 2014: Bellanca 7GCBC, MT, Substantial damage. N714TM approached Meadow Creek Usfs grass strip (3600X60) for a landing on 35. This is recommended landing direction in Montana dot aeronautics division… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 25, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90131. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 254 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419430&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Accident/Incident Report (item 2, .PDF, 368 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419431&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Accident%2FIncident%20Report-Redacted.PDF - FAA Facility Directory OS1 (item 3, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419432&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Facility%20Directory%20OS1-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 143 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419433&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Fuselage Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 106 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419434&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Fuselage%20Damage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Wing Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 115 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419435&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Wing%20Damage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 4 - Windsock (Photo Courtesy of Pilot) (item 7, .PDF, 468 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419436&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Windsock%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-Master.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. --- 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.