N11679

Substantial
None

BELLANCA 7KCABS/N: 307-72

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, June 20, 2013
NTSB Number
ERA13CA298
Location
East Aurora, NY
Event ID
20130621X31901
Coordinates
42.761665, -78.496109
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a rejected takeoff on a soft turf runway with a gusty wind, resulting in the airplane nosing over.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
BELLANCA
Serial Number
307-72
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1972
Model / ICAO
7KCABB407
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
7KCAB

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
KING NATHAN A
Address
12700 SPRINGFIELD CT
City
DUNKIRK
State / Zip Code
MD 20754-9769
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that his tailwheel airplane was near its maximum gross weight and he planned to depart his private airstrip from runway 18, a 1,530-foot long turf runway. The pilot had completed takeoff performance calculations, which revealed a total distance of 1,429 feet to clear a 50-foot obstacle. The pilot's calculations included adjustments for an up-sloping runway, grass taller than 4 inches, soft terrain, and no headwind component. He observed that the wind at the time of departure was from the south to southwest at 5 to 10 knots. The engine developed rated power during run-up and the takeoff roll; however, the airplane lifted off slightly further down the runway than the pilot expected and it seemed to stop accelerating in a flat climb attitude. Due to obstacles at the end of the runway, the pilot reduced power and performed an "aggressive" wheel landing in an attempt to stop on the remaining runway. The airplane subsequently nosed over and came to rest inverted on the grass runway. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspection revealed substantial damage to the forward fuselage and vertical stabilizer. The recorded wind at an airport located approximately 15 miles from the accident site, about 25 minutes prior to the accident, was from 260 degrees at 8 knots, gusting to 14 knots. The pilot added that after the accident, he noticed that the wind had shifted from south to north.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA13CA298