N2868Z

On April 14, 2000, at 2100 central daylight time, a Bellanca 7ECA tailwheel-equipped airplane, N2868Z, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing at the Arlington Municipal Airport, Arlington, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual. The student pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight, for which no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated from the Arlington Municipal Airport, approximately 2050.

According to the owner of the airplane, the student, who was an airframe and powerplant mechanic, was only authorized to taxi the airplane following maintenance. The student pilot stated that at approximately 2050 he departed runway 16 and stayed in the traffic pattern. On his first attempt to land, he reported "turbulence and wind made the aircraft unstable" and he went around. On the second approach, the right main landing gear touched down and the airplane began its landing roll. During the landing roll, the airplane "abruptly yawed to the right" and exited the runway. The student pilot added that he initiated "a soft field taxi to a taxiway that was approximately 50 yards away." Approximately 20 yards from the taxiway, the main landing gear became embedded in mud. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted.

The weather at the Arlington Municipal Airport at 2053 was reported as winds from 150 degrees at 15 knots, visibility at 9 miles, temperature of 64 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point of 57 degrees Fahrenheit, and an overcast layer of clouds at two thousand feet. The student pilot reported the winds were from 140 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 14 knots.

The FAA inspector reported that the vertical stabilizer and rudder were structurally damaged. He added that one propeller blade was found embedded in the ground. The 45-hour student pilot had never flown a tailwheel airplane prior to the accident flight.