# Accident 20220221002409A: Bellanca 7GCBC, Franklin, IN, February 21, 2022

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 21, 2022, 13:55 local time
- Place: Franklin, IN
- Airport: Franklin Flying Field
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.4264° N, 86.0583° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4264&lon=-86.0583&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2521Z, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2521Z-2024-05-08) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bellanca 7GCBC (registry code 1220601, https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCBC
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 4,251 total, 105 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN22LA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA129) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220221002409A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON FEBRUARY21, 2022, AT APPROXIMATELY 1355 EASTERN STANDARD TIME, A 1977 BELLANCA CITABRIA AIRCRAFT, N2521, SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE FOLLOWING A COLLISION WITH TERRAIN WHILE ON APPROACH TO THE FRANKLIN FLYING FIELD AIRPORT (3FK) LOCATED NEAR FRANKLIN, INDIANA.

THE COMMERCIAL/FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR PILOT OCCUPANT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED AND THERE WERE NO PASSENGERS ONBOARD.  THE AIRPLANE WAS ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ AND WAS BEING OPERATED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF TITLE 14 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS PART 91 AS A PERSONAL FLIGHT.  VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED OR REQUIRED.

WITNESSES HAD REPORTED HEARING/SEEING AN AIRCRAFT DOING TOUCH AND GOES. FROM OUTSIDE A HANGAR, ONE WITNESS REPORTING SEEING THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTING RUNWAY TWO-ONE WITH ITS RIGHT WING TILTED HIGH IN THE AIR. A SECOND WITNESS, OUTSIDE OF A HANGAR, REPORTED SEEING AN AIRCRAFT FLYING FROM EAST TO WEST. THE WITNESS HEARD THE ENGINE REV UP, AS THOUGH DOING A PRE-TAKEOFF MAGNETO CHECK, AND THEN A FEW SECONDS LATER HEARD AN IMPACT NOISE.  THE WITNESS SAW THE AIRCRAFT HAD IMPACTED THE GROUND JUST NORTHEAST OF THE HANGAR AND CALLED 911 THEN RAN TO THE AIRCRAFT TO AID THE PILOT.  THE WITNESS ASKED THE PILOT WHAT HAD HAPPENED, AND UNDER A FAINT BUT UNDERSTANDABLE STATEMENT THE PILOT STATED ?I HAD A STALL ON A TOUCH AND GO?.

THE PILOT APPLIED FOR A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE ON OCTOBER 13, 2020.  THE FAA?S MEDICAL CERTIFICATION REQUESTED ADDITIONAL MEDICAL INFORMATION TO CONTINUE WITH THE APPLICATION IN ORDER TO DETERMINE QUALIFICATION. THE FAA DENIED HIS MEDICAL ON JANUARY 8, 2021 DUE TO THE PILOT NOT RESPONDING. THE PILOT'S RELATIVES SUBSEQUENTLY PROVIDED AN AOPA BASIC MEDICAL SELF-ASSESSMENT, DATED JANUARY 20, 2021.

THE INDIANAPOLIS FLIGHT STANDARDS OFFICE WILL CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE THE MEDICAL CERTIFICATION DISCREPANCY WHEN ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE PILOT. FAA FORM 8020-23 MAY BE AMENDED AS NEEDED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN22LA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA129), Feb 21, 2022: Bellanca 7GCBC (N2521Z), Franklin, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of control in the landing pattern resulting in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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