N53739

On April 5, 1998, at 1430 central daylight time, a Bellanca 7GCBC a tailwheel airplane, N53739, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during an aborted landing at a private airstrip near McAlester, Oklahoma. The airplane, owned by a private individual, was leased by the Oklahoma State Department of Agriculture for fire patrol under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local public use flight and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed the private airstrip at 1200.

During a personal interview, conducted by the investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that he had flown an average of 6 hours per day for the previous 2 weeks on the fire patrol flights due to dry windy conditions prevailing throughout the area. The aircraft was modified for use of automotive fuel and he would land at the private airstrip, 6 miles northwest of McAlester, for refueling.

The winds reported by the pilot (Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report NTSB Form 6120.1/2) were from 160 degrees at 15 knots with gusts from 25 to 35 knots and the approach was made to runway 22. During the wheel landing the aircraft bounced and turned to the right. According to the pilot's statement, he added full power for a go-around; however, the right main wheel struck the top wire of the fence paralleling the runway, the right wing caught a brush pile located beyond the fence, and the airplane nosed to the ground. Structural damage occurred to the fuselage, wing spars, engine mounts, propeller, gear, and cowling.