Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. The pilot's improper use of the brakes and the soft terrain were factors in this accident.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On September 2, 1995, at 1120 hours Pacific daylight time, a Bellanca 7GCBC, N31266, ground looped following a three-point landing on runway 32 at Santa Rosa Airport, Santa Rosa, California. The pilot was completing a visual flight rules personal flight. The airplane, operated by United Flight, Watsonville Airport, Watsonville, California, sustained substantial damage. Neither the certificated private pilot nor his passenger was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated Watsonville Airport at 1000 hours.
The pilot said in a telephone interview that the airplane touched down normally and then it began to turn right. The pilot had the control stick back and he applied the brakes to arrest the turn, but without success. The airplane exited the right side of the runway and ground looped when it entered the dirt.
The local controller said in a telephone interview that the accident occurred near the approach end of the runway. He also said that the surface winds were calm.
The operator submitted the required aircraft accident report. He indicated in the report that the airplane did not experience any preimpact malfunctions or failures.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX95LA320