# NTSB ATL94LA112: Bellanca 8GCBC, N53819, Summerdale, AL, June 2, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 2, 1994, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Summerdale, AL - Coordinates: 30.479986, -87.699836 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4800&lon=-87.6998&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 25, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3394 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA112 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3394/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA112 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING TAKEOFF. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - object - fence ## Analysis DURING TAKEOFF, THE PILOT FELT A JERK IN THE FLIGHT CONTROLS AND ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF PROCEDURE AFTER THE AIRPLANE WAS AIRBORNE. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS MAINTAINED UNTIL THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A LEFT TURN AT 40 MPH. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, ROLLED OFF THE DEPARTURE END, AND THROUGH THE AIRPORT PERIMETER FENCE. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL PROBLEM. ## Factual narrative On June 2, 1994, at 1715 central daylight time, a Bellanca 8GCBC, N53819, collided with trees and a fence on the departure end of the south runway, during an aborted takeoff attempt from a private airstrip near Summerdale, Alabama. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the pilot was not injured. The accident occurred during the initial takeoff attempt. During an attempted takeoff, the pilot felt a jerk in the flight controls and elected to abort the takeoff procedure after the airplane was airborne. According to the pilot, the airplane was controllable until the airplane entered a left turn at 40 mph. The airplane collided with a small stand of trees and a fence off the departure end of the runway. Examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical problem. The pilot report that the left aileron push rod was broken and appeared to have jammed the flight controls. The metallurgist factual report of the left aileron push rod assembly stated that the examination of the assembly revealed features typical of a bending overstress, and there was no evidence of preexisting defects (see attached metallurgist's factual report). According to the operator's handbook, the airplane will stall between 51 and 52 mph with normal takeoff flaps and takeoff power; stall airspeed information in a turn was not determined, but typically the stall airspeed in a turn would be higher than 52 mph. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53819](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53819), registered now, S/N 201-76 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8GCBC - Registry model: [Bellanca 8GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8gcbc) (registry code 1220803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 201-76 - Airframe hours: 2254 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C3F 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Kiwi Skysipes - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 16, 1993, 324 hours before - Departed: NONE - Destination: NONE - Airport: NONE, Bonner, runway 18, 2,600 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 6,500 total, 600 in this make and model, 6,200 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MOB, 20 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 19940602016309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940602016309A), Jun 2, 1994: Bbavia 8GCBC, Summerdale, AL, Substantial damage. Beleived jerk in controls on liftoff. Aborted and stalled turning to avoid trees at end of runway. No anomalies. ## Other investigations on N53819 (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 MKC76DTG15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76DTG15), Apr 29, 1976: Bellanca 8GCBC (N53819), New Leipzig, ND, 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. --- 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.