# NTSB ATL86LA117: Bellanca 7-GCAA, N9030L, Chester, SC, April 19, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1986, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Chester, SC
- Coordinates: 34.699924, -81.209472 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6999&lon=-81.2095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7092
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7092/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA117

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, go-around (vfr)
  - level off - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AIRCRAFT WAS BEING REPOSITIONED ON AIRPORT FOR GLIDER TOW. TOW ROPE WAS ATTACHED AND PILOT CONCENTRATED HIS ATTENTION ON AVOIDING ENTANGLING TOW ROPE ON RUNWAY LIGHTS. WHEN PILOT NOTICED THE AIRCRAFT WAS TOO LOW HE ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND WITH INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE WHICH RESULTED IN DRAGGING THE WING TIP. AIRCRAFT CARTWHEELED AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9030L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9030L), registered now, S/N 216-70, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7-GCAA
- Registry model: [Champion 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcaa) (registry code 21101N8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 216-70
- Airframe hours: 1600
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Robert L. Davis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, March 7, 1985, 95 hours before
- Airport: 9A6, Chester Municipal, runway 17, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 3,520 total, 918 in this make and model, 3,360 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19860419013179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860419013179A), Apr 19, 1986: Bbavia 7GCAA, Chester, SC, Substantial damage. The glider towplane dragged a wingtip during a late go around, cartwheeled. Pilots attention was focused on towrope

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
