# NTSB ATL85LA144: Bellanca 7AC, N85652, Germantown, KY, April 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 21, 1985, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Germantown, KY
- Coordinates: 38.64994, -83.960899 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6499&lon=-83.9609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6782
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6782/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA144

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,tank - deteriorated (cause)
  - fuel system,strainer - blocked(partial) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLT OVER HILLY TERRAIN, THE PLT NOTED A POWER LOSS THAT HE DESCRIBED AS THE ENG 'DYING BACK AND THEN CATCHING AGAIN.'  HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT & SELECTED A FIELD FOR A LANDING. DURING THE APCH, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR & PROP HIT 2 POWER LINES. THE POWER LINES BROKE & THE ACFT CONTINUED FLYING. HOWEVER, DURING THE LANDING, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED & THE ACFT SWERVED & WAS FURTHER DAMAGED. AN EXAM OF THE FUEL TANK REVEALED THAT THE COATING INSIDE THE TANK HAD BEGUN FLAKING & FLAKES HAD PARTIALLY OBSTRUCTED A FUEL SCREEN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85652](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N85652), registered now, S/N 7AC-4396, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7AC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (registry code 2110102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC-4396
- Airframe hours: 20601
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-B 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry E. Steenstry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 1984
- Departed: 018, CYNTHIANA, KY
- Destination: HOC, HILLSBORO, OH
- Airport: GEO, Brown County Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 8,750 total, 250 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 50 °F

## 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 19850421013769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850421013769A), Apr 21, 1985: Bbavia 7AC, Germantown, KY, Substantial damage. Struck powerline during landing in field after loss of engine power. Slushing compound fragment stopped fuel flow.

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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