On August 4, 1987, a Bellanca 8KCAB (registration N53811) was involved in an aviation accident near Taos, NM. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot attempted to land on runway 22 with a left quartering crosswind. After bouncing twice and veering off the runway, the pilot initiated a go-around. The aircraft became airborne but its right wing struck the vertical stabilizer of a Cessna 340, then cartwheeled and came to rest inverted.
Incident Summary
A pilot was conducting a landing on runway 22. Wind conditions at Taos at 1323 Mountain Daylight Time were from 170 degrees at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots, providing a left quartering crosswind. During the landing roll, the aircraft bounced twice. After the second bounce, it veered to the right and departed the runway surface. The pilot then applied power and initiated a go-around. The aircraft became airborne and climbed. However, shortly after becoming airborne, the aircraft's right wing struck the vertical stabilizer of a Cessna 340. The impact caused the aircraft to cartwheel. It subsequently came to rest in an inverted attitude.
Wind at the Scene
Weather information recorded at the Taos airport at 1323 MDT reported wind from 170 degrees at 10 knots with gusts to 15 knots. This wind direction relative to runway 22 produced a left quartering crosswind.
What happened in the 4 Aug 1987 Bellanca 8KCAB accident near Taos, NM?
A pilot attempted to land on runway 22 with a left quartering crosswind. After bouncing twice and veering off the runway, the pilot initiated a go-around. The aircraft became airborne but its right wing struck the vertical stabilizer of a Cessna 340, then cartwheeled and came to rest inverted.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 4 Aug 1987 involved a Bellanca 8KCAB, registration N53811, at Taos, NM.
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