# NTSB ATL84LA258: Bellanca 7KCAB, N1717C, Virginia Beach, VA, August 16, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1984, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Virginia Beach, VA
- Coordinates: 36.729877, -76.040718 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7299&lon=-76.0407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6522
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA258
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6522/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA258

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, other
  - pickup equipment - undetermined (cause)
  - flt control syst,rudder control - jammed
  - flt control syst,rudder control - overload
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER A BANNER TOW PICK-UP, RUDDER JAMMED FULL RIGHT. PLT APPLIED BOTH FEET TO LEFT RUDDER PEDAL IN ATTEMPT TO CONTROL DIRECTION OF FLT. LEFT RUDDER CABLE THEN FAILED IN OVERLOAD AS BANNER ENGAGED POWER LINE AND BROKE FREE. DIRECTIONAL CONTROL REQUIREMENTS ON LANDING EXCEEDED CAPABILITY OF BRAKES. ACFT DRIFTED LEFT ON ROLL OUT AND COLLIDED WITH TREES. INSPECTION INDICATED TOW CABLE ENTANGLED WITH LEFT RUDDER HORN DURING PICK-UP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1717C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1717C-2012-08-10), registration cancelled 2012-08-10, S/N 3, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7KCAB
- Registry model: [Champion 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7kcab) (registry code 21101P3) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3
- Airframe hours: 1736
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stephen W. Owens
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 13, 1984
- Airport: Atlantic Air Park

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 10,200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORF, 13 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 19840816074229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840816074229A), Aug 16, 1984: Bbavia 7KCAB, Virginia Beach, VA, Substantial damage. Banner line caught in rudder horn. Kicked left rudder, rudder cable broke. Landed, swerved off runway, hit trees.

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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