# NTSB ATL06CA088: Bellanca 7ECA, N99NR, Gadsden, AL, May 29, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 29, 2006, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Gadsden, AL
- Coordinates: 33.970275, -86.086669
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9703&lon=-86.0867&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Birmingham FSDO-09
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63831
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL06CA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63831/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL06CA088

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain a visual lookout,while maneuvering at a low altitude resulting in an in-flight collision with a powerline.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission
  - altitude - low, pilot in command
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he was flying low over the Coosa River to observe the boats on the river. The pilot stated that he "got lower that he expected" and did not see the power line over the river before hitting it with the right wing. The pilot flew the airplane back to his departure airport.

## Factual narrative

On May 29, 2006, at 1300 central daylight time, a Bellanca 7ECA, N99NR, registered to and operated by a private owner as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with a power line near Gadsden, Alabama. The airplane received substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The flight originated from Gadsden Municipal Airport, Gadsden, Alabama, on May 29, 2006, at 1245.

The pilot stated that he was flying low over the Coosa River to observe the boats on the river. The pilot stated that he "got lower that he expected" and did not see the power line over the river before hitting it with the right wing. The pilot flew the airplane back to his departure airport.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99NR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N99NR), registered now, S/N 1069-75, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bellanca 7ECA
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7eca) (registry code 1220460) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1069-75
- Airframe hours: 3479.39
- Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1B 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Melvin Ricky D. Weldon
- Registered owner: Frederick S Frank
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 1, 2005
- Departed: GAD, GADSDEN, AL
- Destination: 3M5, HUNTSVILLE, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2004; flight hours: 910 total, 96 in this make and model, 722 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: KGAD, 4 nm away

## 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 20060529012649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060529012649A), May 29, 2006: Bbavia 7ECA, Brownsboro, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated that he departed gadsden airport at 12:00 CST and flew north east over the scenic nocalula water falls of gadsden Alabama, then turned…

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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