Bellanca 7GCBC N5034K

Summary

On 16 August 2010 at about 13:05 local time, a Bellanca 7GCBC registered N5034K, operated by Laird Flying Service Inc., was involved in an accident near Douglas, Wyoming, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 August 2010 at 13:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Douglas, Wyoming, United States

Coordinates

42.6361, -105.2936

Aircraft

Bellanca 7GCBC

Registration

N5034K

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Laird Flying Service Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Douglas → Douglas

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR10LA406

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain while maneuvering during an aerial observation flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During an aerial wildlife observation flight, the wildlife biologist requested that the pilot maneuver the airplane at a lower altitude over a specific location. While in a descending turn, the pilot intentionally entered a left-wing-low slip in an effort to increase the rate of descent. At the end of the turn, the airplane's rate of descent increased significantly, and the pilot was unable to level the wings prior to the left wing impacting terrain. A postaccident examination revealed that there was no evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.