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GAA18CA517

2018-08-25 · Ocklawaha, Florida, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport FA38

Current FAA registration · N7618S

Make / Model
BELLANCA 7GCBC
Year of manufacture
1976 · 42 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19760326
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S AA48C0

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.

Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, a wind gust from the right side caused the airplane to weathervane. The airplane veered to the right off the runway, ground looped to the right, and the left wing and elevator impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left elevator. The pilot added that he is a "very experienced pilot, but very inexperienced with tailwheel operations." The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, a wind gust from the right caused the airplane to weathervane. The airplane veered right off the runway, ground looped to the right, and the left wing and elevator impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left elevator. The pilot added that he was a "very experienced pilot, but very inexperienced with tailwheel operations." The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • — Personnel issues-Experience/knowledge-Experience/qualifications-Total experience w/ equipment-Pilot

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2018_GAA18CA517.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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