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WPR14CA366

2014-09-05 · Black Rock City, Nevada, United States · Minor · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport 88NV

Current FAA registration · N31273

Make / Model
BELLANCA 8KCAB
Engine
LYCOMING IO-320 SERIES (150 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19721204
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A351A8

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's disorientation as a result of dust which reduced visibility.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that after touchdown on a dirt airstrip he encountered a reduction in visibility due to what he believed to be dust kicked up due to a tailwind. The loss of visibility resulted in the airplane departing the runway and subsequently nosing over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, and to the left wing tip. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that after touchdown on a dirt airstrip he encountered a reduction in visibility due to what he believed to be dust kicked up due to a tailwind. The loss of visibility resulted in the airplane departing the runway and subsequently nosing over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, and to the left wing tip. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures 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 Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • F Personnel issues-Psychological-Perception/orientation/illusion-Visual illusion/disorientation-Pilot - F
  • — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Debris/dirt/foreign object-Contributed to outcome

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2014_WPR14CA366.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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