Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain control during the landing roll on a soft turf runway.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that while landing on a turf runway in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, the main landing gear encountered soft terrain upon touchdown. The airplane rapidly decelerated and the tail rose. The pilot applied full aft pressure on the control stick but was unable to regain control before the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. During the nose over the airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, and right wing strut.
The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN24LA176 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 1, 2024
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Watervliet, Michigan
- Nearest airport
- Watervliet Municipal Airport (40C)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Bellanca 7ECA
- N-number
- N8618V
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1975
- 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.