# NTSB ATL90LA015: Bellanca 7KCAB, N57470, Florence, SC, October 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1989, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Florence, SC
- Coordinates: 34.179382, -79.779556 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1794&lon=-79.7796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8173
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8173/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA015

## Probable cause

THE WORN STEERING SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - landing gear,steering system - worn (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command

## Analysis

WHILE ATTEMPTING A LANDING AT HIS PRIVATE AIRSTRIP, THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE ON THE LANDING ROLL. HE STATED THAT THE RIGHT BRAKE LOCKED WHEN HE APPLIED THE HEEL BRAKES & WOULD NOT RELEASE. HE THEN APPLIED LEFT BRAKE AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE DID NOT REVEAL A BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. HOWEVER, THE TAILWHEEL STEERING ARM & FORK ASSEMBLY WERE WORN BEYOND LIMITS, WHICH AFFECTED DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57470](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N57470), registered now, S/N 375-73, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7KCAB
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7kcab) (registry code 1220701) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 125](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-125) (registry code 41507, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 375-73
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John M. Elliott
- Registered owner: John M Elliott III
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: HARTSVILLE, SC
- Airport: Elliot Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 700 total, 150 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °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 19891026043589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891026043589A), Oct 26, 1989: Bbavia 7KCAB, Florence, SC, Substantial damage. Nosed over during landing using hard braking to correct swerve. Tail steering worn out. Recent annual inspection.

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.