# NTSB BFO88LA069: Bellanca 7GCAA, N31253, Windsor, VA, July 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1988, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Windsor, VA
- Coordinates: 36.799251, -76.730133 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7993&lon=-76.7301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11426
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11426/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88LA069

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON LONG FINAL AFTER A GLIDER TOW FLIGHT THE ENG LOST POWER. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN AN OPEN FIELD AND WHEN THE PLT APPLIED BRAKES, THE ACFT NOSED OVER. POST ACCIDENT EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED 1 GALLON OF FUEL REMAINED.  THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE INITIATED THE FLT WITH 3 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD. THE ACFT OPERATOR STATED IT WAS STANDARD PROCEDURE FOR THE TOW ACFT TO TAKEOFF WITH THE MINIMUM AMOUNT OF FUEL ON BOARD TO COMPLETE THE FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N31253 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCAA
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25072
- Airframe hours: 2664
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Tidewater Soaring Society
- Registered owner: Tidwater Soaring Society
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 9, 1987
- Departed: 3VA8, WINDSOR, VA
- Airport: 3VA8, Garner

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial, military; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 1,900 total, 170 in this make and model, 1,810 as pilot in command, 82 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORF, 23 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 19880724047509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880724047509A), Jul 24, 1988: Bbavia STC7, Windsor, VA, Substantial damage. Released glider tow then ran out of fuel on landing approach. Nosed over short of runway. Kept fuel low for weight.

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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