Probable cause
The pilot's loss of directional control during landing, resulting in a runway excursion.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that he was practicing takeoffs and landings, and during the last landing, the airplane encountered a gust of wind. The tailwheel-equipped airplane veered to the right and the pilot's efforts to correct the veer were unsuccessful, resulting in the airplane exiting the runway. The airplane subsequently impacted a ditch and sustained substantial damage to the engine firewall and fuselage. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11CA485 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 16, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Greeley, Colorado
- Nearest airport
- Greeley-Weld County Airport (KGXY)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Bellanca 8KCAB
- N-number
- N731JD
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.