# NTSB BFO92LA098: Bellanca 7GCBC, N57472, Bally, PA, July 12, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1992, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Bally, PA
- Coordinates: 40.400215, -75.58081 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4002&lon=-75.5808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11817
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO92LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11817/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO92LA098

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS TAKING OFF ON RUNWAY 34 WHEN THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK A 20 FOOT TREE BEFORE FALLING TO THE GROUND.  ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE RIGHT, HE UNSUCCESSFULLY TRIED TO COMPENSATE BY APPLYING LEFT RUDDER AND SOME LEFT BRAKE.  THE AIRPLANE THEN STRUCK A DIRT MOUND, AND BECAME AIRBORNE BRIEFLY IN A NOSE HIGH LOW SPEED ATTITUDE BEFORE IT STRUCK THE TREE.  EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE FAA DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL NOR FLIGHT CONTROL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57472](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N57472), registered now, S/N 512-73, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCBC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (registry code 1220601) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 512-73
- Airframe hours: 4795
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kutztown Aviation
- Registered owner: Kutztown Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 30, 1992, 27 hours before
- Destination: N31, KUTZTOWN, PA
- Airport: 7N8, Butter Valley, runway 34, 2,420 × 85 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 132 total, 33 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABE, 1 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 19920712024819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920712024819A), Jul 12, 1992: Bbavia 7GCBC, Bally, PA, Destroyed. Early airborne on a runway mound during takeoff drifted nose high off runway and impacted tree.

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.