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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

April 23, 1996 · Bellanca 7KCAB · N333JS

Tucson, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 23, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Tucson, AZ
Aircraft
Bellanca 7KCAB
Tail Number
N333JS
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX96LA176

The pilot entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern and noted that the windsock was indicating calm winds. He completed the normal rectangular traffic pattern with no indications of the wind conditions changing. During touchdown a gust of wind from the west raised the right wing, allowing the airplane to drift left. The pilot unsuccessfully attempted to correct the drift and then attempted a go-around. The pilot aborted the go-around when he saw a back hoe in his path. The airplane's left wing then collided with the back hoe, which was parked unattended about 20 to 30 feet from the runway's edge. After the accident, the winds were noted to shift periodically with gusts above 15 miles per hour.

NTSB Probable Cause

failure of the pilot to adequately compensate for gusting crosswind conditions and to maintain directional control. A factor in the accident was unattended construction equipment parked in close proximity to the runway edge.

Full Narrative

On April 23, 1996, at 0825 hours mountain standard time, a Bellanca 7KCAB, N333JS, collided with a back hoe after landing on runway 12 at the Avra Valley airport, Tucson, Arizona. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight. The flight originated from the La Cholla Airpark in Tucson about 0755 hours. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot indicated he entered the downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern and noted the windsock was indicating calm winds. He completed the normal rectangular traffic pattern with no indications of the wind conditions changing. He also stated that a gust of wind from the west raised the right wing, allowing the airplane to drift left as it touched down. The pilot immediately applied right aileron and rudder. The wings returned to level and the airplane continued to drift left towards the left shoulder of the runway. He added power and then removed it when he saw a back hoe adjacent to the runway in his path. He was attempting to steer the airplane clear with the rudder pedals when the left wing collided with the back hoe. The pilot stated that the back hoe was parked with the engine running unattended about 20 to 30 feet from the runway's edge. The pilot remained with the airplane for several hours after the accident. During that period he noted the windsock would indicate calm winds with periodic shifting gusts above 15 miles per hour.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:25 MST
Nearest AirportAvra Valley (0nm)
Runway12
Runway Length6901 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 7KCAB
Tail NumberN333JS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · AEIO-320-E2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 47 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point16 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data