# NTSB ATL82DA178: Bellanca 7ECA, N4214Y, Ft. Meade, MD, June 25, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 25, 1982, 19:04 local (23:04 UTC)
- Place: Ft. Meade, MD
- Coordinates: 39.109153, -76.75048 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1092&lon=-76.7505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70781
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70781/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA178

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Overrun, takeoff
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff
  - landing gear,main gear - cracked (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE CARBURETOR HEAT OPERATED DURING AN ENGINE RUN-UP BEFORE TAKEOFF, AND THAT HE USED THE CARBURETOR HEAT DURING EACH LANDING. DURING A TOUCH-AND-GO, HE LIFTED OFF AT 65 KTS, BUT THE PLANE SETTLED AND WOULD NOT CLIMB OUT OF GROUND EFFECT. HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF AND THE PLANE CONTINUED OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE INTENTIONALLY GROUND LOOPED THE PLANE TO AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS. DURING THE GROUND LOOP, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR ATTACHMENT U-BOLT FAILED AT AN OLD CRACK. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT A CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL CLAMP WAS LOOSE AND ALLOWED THE CARBURETOR HEAT TO REMAIN "OFF." THE CABLE HAD BEEN RE-RIGGED ABOUT 71 TACH HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. ALSO, THE AIR INTAKE BOOT WAS IMPROPERLY POSITIONED AND ALLOWED UNFILTERED AIR TO ENTER THE CARBURETOR. THE TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT WERE 81 AND 65 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS, A SERIOUS CARBURETOR ICING HAZARD WOULD HAVE OCCURRED AT LOW POWER SETTINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4214Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4214Y), registered now, S/N 1199-77, built 1977 (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: 1199-77
- Airframe hours: 1094
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ft. Meade Flying Club
- Registered owner: Ft. Meade Flying Club
- Departed: FME, FT. MEADE, MD
- Destination: FME, FT. MEADE, MD
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: FME, Tipton Aaf, runway 28, 3,000 × 0 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 202 total, 73 in this make and model, 104 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Temperature: 178 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI, 7 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 19820625027069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820625027069A), Jun 25, 1982: Bbavia 7ECA, Ft Meade, MD, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed during aborted takeoff due to power loss. Carburetor heat control stuck in cold position.

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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