Pilot Debrief

BELLANCA 7GCBC near Brockton, MT — 2012-03-05

Final reportWPR12FA123
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Date
2012-03-05
Location
Brockton, MT, USA
Airport
SDY
Aircraft
BELLANCA 7GCBC
Registration
N5542K
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and airplane control while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in a stall and subsequent impact with terrain.

NTSB narrative

Witnesses reported that the airplane made two low altitude 360 degree turns then ascended rapidly followed by a descent into the ground characteristic of a stall. The airplane “belly flopped” onto the edge of an elevated drive likely due to insufficient altitude for the pilot to recover. The witnesses further reported that the engine sounded normal throughout the accident sequence. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. A GPS receiver was recovered from the accident; however, no data was recovered for the accident flight. Previous flight paths revealed flight maneuvers at low altitudes similar to the one described during the accident sequence.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided low altitude maneuvers to prevent loss of control.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 16 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents16

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