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May 14, 2012 · Bellanca 7GCAA · N68543

El Dorado, KS

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 14, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
El Dorado, KS
Aircraft
Bellanca 7GCAA
Tail Number
N68543
Operator
Troy a Waltermath
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN12LA304

The pilot reported that he made a full-stall landing on the runway with a left crosswind and lost directional control after landing. The airplane departed the right side of the runway and impacted a deep ditch. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C

Full Narrative

On May 14, 2012, about 1630 central daylight time, a Bellanca 7GCAA, N68543, went off the right side of runway 15 and impacted a ditch at Captain Jack Thomas Airport (KEQA), El Dorado, Kansas. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Benton (K1K1), Kansas, about 1545. The pilot said he was making a full-stall landing to the south with an east to west wind. Upon touchdown, he lost directional control and the airplane went off the right side of the runway and into a deep ditch. The right main landing gear separated from the airframe, and the right wing was damaged when it struck the embankment. The pilot reported no mechanical discrepancies with the airplane prior to the accident. His recommendation for preventing this accident was for him to receive additional training in the airplane and acquire more proficiency. Although he indicated he had logged 1,900 total hours and 600 hours in single-engine airplanes, he had only 1 hour in the Bellanca 7GCAA. An examination of the airplane and related systems revealed no anomalies.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 CDT
Nearest AirportCapt. Jack Thomas/El Dorado (0nm)
Runway15
Runway Length4200 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 7GCAA
Tail NumberN68543
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorTroy a Waltermath
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 55 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 6 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data