# NTSB ATL85LA265: Bellanca Champion 7GCAA, N7559F, Alabaster, AL, September 1, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1985, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Alabaster, AL
- Coordinates: 33.219787, -86.820037 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2198&lon=-86.8200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6867
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA265
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6867/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA265

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE ACFT DURING A LANDING. THE ACFT NOSED OVER COMING TO REST INVERTED. THE PLT RELATED THAT A GUST OF WIND CAUSED THE LOSS OF CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7559F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7559F), registered now, S/N 208-70 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA CHAMPION 7GCAA (CHAMPION 7)
- Registry model: [Champion 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcaa) (registry code 21101N8) (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: 208-70
- Airframe hours: 1619
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Birmingham Soaring Society Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, February 8, 1985
- Departed: 29A, MONTEVALLO, AL
- Airport: 29A, Flying X Ranch, runway 1, 2,500 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 872 total, 135 in this make and model, 838 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 70 °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 19850901042399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850901042399A), Sep 1, 1985: Bbavia 7GCAA, Alabaster, AL, Substantial damage. After glider tow and release returned for landing. Landed downwind and gust of wind caused aircraft to flip over.

## Other investigations on N7559F (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 SEA72DYA15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA72DYA15), Oct 19, 1971: Champion 7GCAA (N7559F), Idaho Falls, ID, 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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