MORRISTOWN, TN, USA
N3770
BELLANCA 8JCAB
THE COMMERCIAL PILOT HAD FLOWN AROUND THE LOCAL AREA FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES,AND RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT TO PERFORM A'FLY-BY' PASS OF THE RUNWAY. DURING THE PASS, WHICH WAS AT ABOUT 100 FEET AGL, 'SOME DOWNDRAFT, TURBULENCE OR LOSS OF LIFT WAS ENCOUNTERED.' THE RIGHT WING AND THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR CONTACTED THE GROUND. THE PILOT MAINTAINED CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND FLEW AROUND FOR A NORMAL LANDING. POST-ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT AND REAR WING SPARS WERE BROKEN. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRPLANE. HE STATED THAT THERE WERE PEOPLE AT THE AIRSTRIP WATCHING HIS FLY-BY PASS. WHEN ASKED IF HE WAS 'BUZZING' THE AIRSTRIP, HE REPLIED 'YES'.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER ALTITUDE DURING A LOW PASS. A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS PERSONAL ABILITY.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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