N8709V

Substantial
None

BELLANCA 7KCABS/N: 518-75

Accident Details

Date
Monday, July 9, 2012
NTSB Number
CEN12CA430
Location
Williston, ND
Event ID
20120711X34221
Coordinates
48.039165, -102.339721
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to ensure a suitable landing surface.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
BELLANCA
Serial Number
518-75
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1975
Model / ICAO
7KCABB407
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
7KCAB

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
FANDRICH EDWARD I
Address
710 W AIRPORT RD
City
PAYSON
State / Zip Code
AZ 85541-3665
Country
United States

Analysis

In a statement provided by the pilot, he was performing a landing in a wheat field. The pilot approached the field from the west and flew a midfield downwind at 3,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) over the intended landing strip. When the pilot began to flare the airplane, the main landing gear became entangled with the tall wheat grass, which resulted in the airplane lurching forward and to the right. The right wing impacted the ground and the airplane nosed over. The airplane came to rest inverted and pointed in the opposite direction of flight. Nine days prior to the accident, the pilot had marked a 1,000 foot landing strip in the field. He stated that the wheat grass had grown considerably since then.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN12CA430