N2735Z

On January 9, 2000, about 1345 Eastern Standard Time, a Bellanca 7ECA, N2735Z, was substantially damaged during an aborted landing at the Greene County Airport (WAY), Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight originated at Connellsville, Pennsylvania (2G3), around 1300, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR 91. Weather was visual meteorological conditions.

In a written statement, the pilot said:

"Landing on Runway 27 at WAY. After touchdown, started getting winds from left about 190 degrees. Trying to correct for it, I was moving to the right and after right wheel was close to grass I put in full throttle and lifted back off. There was not enough airspeed for climb out. Right wing touched hill on right, spun aircraft around and came to a stop."

A witness saw the airplane while it was landing. In a written statement, the witness said:

"The plane was landing - coming down the runway, then it went off the runway into the grass and started back up when the wing hit and flipped it around."

The winds reported at Morgantown, West Virginia, 18.5 nautical miles southeast of WAY, were 190 degrees at 5 knots.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector conducted an on-site examination. According to the Inspector's written report, he said:

"The aircraft was 150 yards north of Runway 27 on a heading of 060 degrees, and was substantially damaged. Damage included the propeller, left wing, rudder, sheared the left main landing gear, and the fuselage was damaged at the left wing spar attach point. The impact compressed the rear spar attach point and caused the cabin door on the right side to no longer latch. The amount of fuel on board was better than 50 percent. A review of the maintenance records and control continuity check were both satisfactory."

The pilot received his private pilot certificate on June 30, 1999. He reported 118 total flight hours with 11 total hours in make and model. He also reported there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane.