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Casualties unknown

Pilot Loses Control During Landing Roll on Wet Runway (N8525)

Columbus, MT, US

On September 4, 1999, a Bellanca 7GCBC (registration N8525) was involved in an aviation accident near Columbus, MT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll on a wet runway, which resulted in the aircraft skidding off the runway and ground-looping. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-19Data APIEditorial standards

A light aircraft skidded off a wet runway during landing and ground-looped into adjacent mud. The pilot reported no mechanical issues with the airplane prior to the incident.

What happened

The pilot was operating an aircraft when it touched down on a runway surface that was wet at the time. During the landing roll, the pilot applied braking action to slow the airplane. However, the aircraft began to skid toward the right side of the runway. Despite the pilot's efforts to maintain control, the airplane veered completely off the paved surface.

After leaving the runway, the aircraft ground-looped and eventually came to a stop in the mud located next to the runway. The pilot later reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll on a wet runway, which resulted in the aircraft skidding off the runway and ground-looping.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X19875. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.