# NTSB ANC85LA075: Bellanca 7GCBC, N31282, Holitna River, AK, April 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1985, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Holitna River, AK
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4487
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4487/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA075

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system - contamination (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,tank - water (cause)
  - fuel system,line - water (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF THE PLT NOTED A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER, THE PLT ELECTED PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON THE REMAINING FROZEN LAKE. DURING THE TURN THE ACFT STALLED AND CRASHED. THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS FOUND CONTAMINATED WITH ICE AND WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31282](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31282-2013-06-13), registration cancelled 2013-06-13, S/N 409-72, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCBC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (registry code 1220601) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46072
- Airframe hours: 2200
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas J. Coyle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 7, 1984, 49 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,140 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 3,300 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 5 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850427015809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850427015809A), Apr 27, 1985: Bbavia 7GCBC, Holitna River, AK, Substantial damage. Engine started cutting out after takeoff. Aircraft stalled while turning back and impacted frozen lake.

## Other investigations on N31282 (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 ANC79DAG20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC79DAG20), Nov 3, 1978: Bellanca 7GCBC (N31282), Mc Grath, AK, substantial damage

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.

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