Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's inadvertent groundloop of the airplane.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The instructor in the rear seat operated as pilot-in-command and was demonstrating a wheel landing to the pilot in the front seat. During the wheel landing, the airplane groundlooped.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 9, 1994, at 0850 mountain daylight time, a Bellanca 7ECA, N5056V, was substantially damaged during landing near Englewood, Colorado. The two certificated flight instructors were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local instructional flight. The instructor in the aft seat operated as pilot-in-command and was demonstrating a wheel landing to the pilot in the front seat. During the wheel landing on runway 17R, at Centennial Airport, the airplane groundlooped. The left main gear separated and damage occurred to the propeller and left wing spars. Wind was from 210 degrees at 10 knots. No mechanical malfunctions were reported. -