On June 29, 2004, a Bellanca 7KCAB (registration N8717V) was involved in an aviation accident near Casa Grande, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's loss of directional control during landing, which resulted in a ground loop and separation of the left main wheel after the aircraft bounced on touchdown. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft lost directional control during landing, bounced on touchdown, and ground looped after the pilot attempted to salvage the approach by overcontrolling or hitting a brake.
What happened
The pilot was conducting a landing operation when directional control of the airplane was lost. Upon initial touchdown, the aircraft experienced a bounce. In an effort to salvage the landing, the pilot made control inputs that resulted in either overcontrol or unintended application of a brake.
Following these inputs, the airplane veered off the runway surface. It then spun around to the right, causing the left wing tip to strike the ground. The impact separated the left main wheel from the aircraft structure.
The investigation
Post-accident examination confirmed that the left wheel had been separated from the airframe due to the force of the left wing tip striking the ground during the spin. There were no mechanical failures reported prior to the event.
Probable cause
The pilot's loss of directional control during landing, which resulted in a ground loop and separation of the left main wheel after the aircraft bounced on touchdown.