Sunday, December 02, 2018

Loss of Control on Ground: Bellanca 7GCBC, N7618S; accident occurred August 25, 2018 at Woods and Lakes Airpark (FA38), Ocklawaha, Marion County, Florida

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Orlando, Florida

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms



Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/N7618S

Location: Ocklawaha, FL
Accident Number: GAA18CA517
Date & Time: 08/25/2018, 1500 EDT
Registration: N7618S
Aircraft: Champion 7GCBC
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

Analysis 

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, a wind gust from the right caused the airplane to weathervane. The airplane veered right off the runway, ground looped to the right, and the left wing and elevator impacted the ground.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left elevator.

The pilot added that he was a "very experienced pilot, but very inexperienced with tailwheel operations."

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.

Findings

Aircraft
Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)
Total experience w/ equipment - Pilot

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing
Other weather encounter
Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Runway excursion

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor; Flight Engineer; Private
Age: 52, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/04/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/22/2018
Flight Time:   (Estimated) 11300 hours (Total, all aircraft), 25 hours (Total, this make and model), 11000 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 110 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 30 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Champion
Registration: N7618S
Model/Series: 7GCBC No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1976
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Aerobatic; Normal
Serial Number: 923-76
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 01/13/2018, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1650 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1773 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C91  installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-320-A2D
Registered Owner:  Martin Harris/Luther Tuck Anderson/Alex Harvey
Rated Power: 150 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KVVG, 89 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 11 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1924 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 202° 
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 4200 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 11 knots / 20 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 60°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.07 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C / 23°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Ocklawaha, FL (FA38)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Ocklawaha, FL (FA38)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1500 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: WOODS AND LAKES AIRPARK (FA38)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt; Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 100 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 03
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2900 ft / 97 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:  29.123889, -81.887500 (est)

1 comment:

  1. What else is new? There's an old joke that goes "The fastest these planes go is off the side of the runway". The Bellanca is a little more forgiving than most tail draggers.

    ReplyDelete