NTSB Factual Report

On September 2, 2001, at 0913 hours Pacific daylight time, a Bellanca 7GCAA, N5042D, was substantially damaged during a landing ground loop at Bryant Field, Bridgeport, California. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. The personal flight was operated by Sierra Flyers, Inc., under 14 CFR Part 91, and departed from Minden, Nevada, at 0820. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that he landed the airplane on runway 16 (4,329 feet long x 60 feet wide). The tail of the aircraft bounced violently and the airplane veered to the left. He applied right rudder and some power; however, the airplane drifted off the east edge of the runway and ground looped when the right main landing gear entered dense brush. The right landing gear was torn off and the right-hand wing contacted the ground during the ensuing ground loop. In his report to the Safety Board, in the section "Mechanical Malfunction Failure," the pilot checked "no." He also reported the wind was calm.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the tail wheel equipped aircraft during landing roll which resulted in a ground loop.