Bellanca 8KCAB accident near Mesquite, Texas, November 23, 2014
On November 23, 2014 at about 9:42 pm local time, a 1972 Bellanca 8KCAB, registered N580, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Mesquite, Texas (Mesquite Metro airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's loss of directional control while landing in gusting crosswind conditions, which exceeded the airplane's maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 23, 2014 · about 9:42 pm local time
- Place
- Mesquite, Texas · Mesquite Metro · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 8KCAB, built 1972 · all 8KCABs on the register
- Registration
- N580 · registry record · serial 43-72
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the landing on runway 17 a gust of wind pushed the tailwheel equipped airplane to the left. The pilot attempted to correct back to the runway centerline; the airplane exited the right side of the runway and spun 180 degrees. The left wing impacted the ground and sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane and stated that he lost control during landing. Around the time of the landing, the automated weather station reported the wind from 260 degrees at 18 knots, gusting to 24 knots. A review of the airplane's flight manual revealed the maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity was 17 knots.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Other weather encounter during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Maximum crosswind component › Capability exceeded
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Response/compensation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 396 hours in all; 62 in this make and model; 0 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: May 2, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-320 SERIES (piston); 1,330 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HQZ Mesquite TX at 5:00 pm
- Destination: HQZ Mesquite TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 5,999 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 18 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.43 inHg
- Observation at 9:50 pm from KHQZ
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on May 20, 2015. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Record of Conversation – Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | POH Excerpt - Maximum Demonstrated Crosswind Velocity | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Photo 1 – Wing Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photo 2 – Wing Spar Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.