Bellanca 7GCBC N714TM

Summary

On 20 September 2014 at about 15:45 local time, a Bellanca 7GCBC registered N714TM, operated by Sleeping Giant Flying Club Inc, was involved in an accident near Meadow Creek, Montana, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 September 2014 at 15:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Meadow Creek, Montana, United States

Nearest airport

Meadow Creek USFS (0S1)

Coordinates

47.8494, -113.4175

Aircraft

Bellanca 7GCBC

Registration

N714TM

Category

Airplane

Year built

1972

Engines

1

Operator

Sleeping Giant Flying Club Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Benchmark → Meadow Creek

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR14CA384

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's inadequate landing flare and failure to maintain aircraft control during landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Upon arrival in the vicinity of the unpaved airstrip, the pilot made a "mid-field fly over" to check the wind socks, which indicated calm winds. He then flew a low pass along the runway in order to ensure that it was suitable for landing. Satisfied with the wind and runway conditions, he flew a normal traffic pattern for landing. The tailwheel equipped airplane touched down in a 3-point attitude, but rebounded into the air. In accordance with previous experience, the pilot applied forward stick to "stop the bounce," and the airplane continued down the runway on the main gear. According to the pilot, the main wheels "hit a dip" which resulted in a nose down pitching that the pilot was unable to arrest. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. A postaccident examination of the runway revealed no obvious holes or impediments in the landing strip surface. It was noted that one wind sock on the airport was situated so close to significantly taller trees that it would not have provided valid wind speed or direction information. Review of meteorological information indicated that light winds prevailed for the region. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.