On March 29, 2001, a Bellanca 8GCBC (registration N88352) was involved in an aviation accident near Las Vegas, NM. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll. Factors were weather evaluation by the pilot and rough terrain off the side of the runway. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a final approach from a local flight, the pilot landed on runway 20 with a light tailwind. The aircraft veered off the left side into rough terrain, resulting in significant structural damage.
What happened
The pilot was operating an aircraft as part of a local flight pattern, conducting what would be his final landing of the sortie. Upon approaching the airport, the pilot aligned with runway 20 for touchdown. At the time of landing, there was a right quartering tailwind estimated at approximately 6 knots.
During the ground roll after touchdown, the aircraft failed to remain on the paved surface. It departed from the left side of the runway and entered adjacent rough terrain. The impact with the uneven ground caused substantial structural failure. The landing gear assembly was sheared off completely, and the left wing sustained buckling damage.