On November 22, 1988, a Bellanca 8KCAB (registration N8695V) operated by EL Toro Aero Club was involved in an aviation accident near Twentynine Palm, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing due to gusty wind conditions, which resulted in a ground loop and runway excursion. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During a landing flare, gusting winds lifted the left wing of the aircraft. The pilot attempted correction just before touchdown, but the plane ground looped to the right, ran off the runway, and collided with a berm.
What happened
The pilot was conducting a landing operation when the event occurred during the flare phase. As the aircraft approached the runway surface, a gust of wind caused the left wing to rise unexpectedly. The pilot applied corrective inputs just prior to touchdown to maintain control.
Despite these efforts, the airplane ground looped sharply to the right immediately upon contact with the pavement. The aircraft subsequently ran off the runway and collided with a berm, resulting in a nose-over attitude. The pilot reported that winds were gusting to 10 knots at the time of the incident.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing due to gusty wind conditions, which resulted in a ground loop and runway excursion.
What happened in the 22 Nov 1988 Bellanca 8KCAB accident near Twentynine Palm, CA?
During a landing flare, gusting winds lifted the left wing of the aircraft. The pilot attempted correction just before touchdown, but the plane ground looped to the right, ran off the runway, and collided with a berm.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 22 Nov 1988 involved a Bellanca 8KCAB, registration N8695V, operated by EL Toro Aero Club, at Twentynine Palm, CA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing due to gusty wind conditions, which resulted in a ground loop and runway excursion.
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