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December 30, 2003 · Bellanca 8KCAB · N727MR

Bend, OR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 30, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Bend, OR
Aircraft
Bellanca 8KCAB
Tail Number
N727MR
Operator
William D Gonce
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA04CA037

The private pilot reported that just after landing (wheel landing), and after reducing engine power to idle, the aircraft began to track to the left. The pilot reported that he applied right rudder and corrective action, however, the airplane continued to track to the left of centerline. The airplane eventually exited the runway edge, encountered a two-foot snow bank, and nosed over. The pilot reported that the landing runway was "extremely icy" at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

Directional control not maintained during landing. Factors include an icy runway and a snow bank.

Full Narrative

On December 30, 2003, about 1310 Pacific standard time, a tail-wheel equipped Bellanca 8KCAB (Super Decathlon), N727MR, sustained substantial damage when the airplane nosed-over during landing at the Bend Municipal Airport, Bend, Oregon. The airplane is owned by Tail Wheel Excursion, LLC, and was being operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private pilot and passenger aboard the airplane were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had been activated for the flight that originated from Hillsboro, Oregon, approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes prior to the accident. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board IIC, on January 29, and a subsequent written statement dated January 30, the pilot reported that just after landing on runway 16 (wheel landing), and after reducing engine power to idle, the aircraft began to track to the left. The pilot reported that he applied right rudder and corrective action, however, the airplane continued to track to the left of centerline. The airplane eventually exited the runway edge, encountered a two-foot snow bank, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wing spar assembly. The pilot reported that the landing runway (16) was "extremely icy" at the time of the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:10 PST
Nearest AirportBENDMUNI (0nm)
Runway16
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 8KCAB
Tail NumberN727MR
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWilliam D Gonce
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · AEIO-360 · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 50 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data