- Date
- May 3, 1998, 07:45 local (11:45 UTC)
- Place
- Sebring, FL
- Injuries
- 2 serious
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N4MEBellanca 7-GCBC
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report May 19, 1999
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19980503008289A
- Case key
- 3989
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's improper handling of the airplane which led to an inadvertent stall. A factor was the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
Shortly after departure at an altitude of about 300 to 500 feet (AGL), the pilot made a right turn, then a left turn. During the left turn the pilot noticed more resistance than normal with the control stick. The pilot stated that he was returning to the airport when the engine began to backfire, then suddenly stop. The aircraft then collided with a tree, at a 45-degree nose down attitude and burst into flames. According to the FAA, when the engine stopped the airplane stalled and went straight into the trees. Examination of the engine and airframe found them consumed by fire. The reason for the loss of engine power is undetermined.
Factual narrative
On May 3, 1998, about 0745 eastern daylight time a Bellanca 7-GCBC, N4ME, collided with a tree during an emergency landing near the River Acres Airport, Sebring, Florida. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The private pilot and one passenger sustained serious injuries, and the airplane was destroyed by impact and post-crash fire. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
According to the pilot, shortly after departure at an altitude of about 300 feet above ground level (AGL), he made a right turn, then a left turn. It was during the left turn that the pilot noticed more resistance than normal with the control stick. The pilot stated that he was returning to the airport when the engine began to backfire, then suddenly stop. The aircraft then collided with a tree, at a 45-degree nose down attitude and burst into flames. The pilot stated that he was able to open the door by hitting it with his right hand, then he and the passenger were able to climb out of the aircraft and move safely away from the accident scene.
According to the FAA, witnesses stated that the airplane was in a turn about 500 feet AGL. They said the engine stopped and the aircraft went straight into the trees. Examination of the airplane found it consumed by fire.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N4ME
- Reported as
- Bellanca 7-GCBC
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 490-73
- Airframe hours
- 2,126
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Louis E. Burgman
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · March 14, 1998
- Departed
- FD70 · Okeechobee, FL
- Flight plan
- VFR
- Airport
- FD70 · River Acres, runway 15, 4,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 57
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Front
- Flight hours
- 815 total · 210 in this make and model · 815 as pilot in command
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 63 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- VRB
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.