# NTSB ATL93FA030: Bellanca 7ECA, N7622S, Pike Road, AL, November 30, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 30, 1992, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Pike Road, AL
- Coordinates: 32.299072, -86.080261 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2991&lon=-86.0803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8679
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93FA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8679/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93FA030

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND COLLISION WITH THE GROUND. FACTORS WERE THE INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND IN THAT HE OPERATED THE AIRCRAFT IN EXCESS OF THE MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT (FRONT COCKPIT) AND COMMERCIAL PILOT (REAR COCKPIT) WERE TAKING OFF FROM A PRIVATE GRASS STRIP. THE AIRSTRIP OWNER HEARD THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE AT FULL POWER, THEN HE HEARD THE ENGINE NOISE RESONATE FOLLOWED BY THE SOUND OF THE CRASH. HE COMPARED THIS SOUND TO THAT OF AN AIRCRAFT IN A SPIN. THE AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION IN AN OPEN PASTURE ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY. DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT WAS INDICATIVE OF A LEFT WING LOW, NOSE LOW IMPACT WITH SUBSTANTIAL VERTICAL FORCE. BOTH WINGS WERE BROKEN FORWARD, THE LEFT WING SPARS WERE BROKEN AT THE STRUT ATTACH POINTS AS WELL AS OTHER PLACES. IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING OPERATED AT ABOUT 92 POUNDS IN EXCESS OF THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. A DETERMINATION AS TO WHICH PILOT WAS ACTING AS PILOT IN COMMAND WAS NOT MADE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7622S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7622S-2001-10-29), registration cancelled 2001-10-29, S/N 1142-76, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ECA
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7eca) (registry code 1220460) (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: 1142-76
- Airframe hours: 3320
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dothan Jet Center, Inc.
- Registered owner: Dothan Jet Center, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, November 3, 1992, 2 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: SCD, SYLACAUGA, AL
- Airport: NONE, Bartlett Ranch, runway 18, 2,500 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 12,800 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MGM, 15 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 19921130048329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921130048329A), Nov 30, 1992: Bbavia 7ECA, Pike Road, AL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Wreckage indicates flat spin to impact. Witness described wing rocking and tail shifting prior impact.

## Other investigations on N7622S (3)

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 CHI79DEG16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79DEG16), Jun 11, 1979: Bellanca 7ECA (N7622S), Moraine, OH, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI79DEG09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79DEG09), Feb 5, 1979: Bellanca 7ECA (N7622S), Brookville, OH, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI78FEK11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78FEK11), Mar 29, 1978: Bellanca 7ECA (N7622S), Delphos, OH, 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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