# NTSB BFO93LA177: Bellanca 7GCBC, N11689, Mattawamkeag, ME, September 15, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 15, 1993, 12:35 local (16:35 UTC) - Place: Mattawamkeag, ME - Location: 45.5177° N, 68.3517° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mattawamkeag, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5177&lon=-68.3517&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8820 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA177 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8820/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA177 ## Probable cause 1) THE PILOT'S INITIATION OF AN EXCESSIVE MANEUVER (STEEP BANK TURN) AT 400 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, WHICH RESULTED IN AN AERODYNAMIC STALL, AND 2) THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECOGNITION OF THE NATURE OF THE EMERGENCY, CAUSING A DELAY IN PERFORMING REMEDIAL ACTION TO RECOVER FROM THE AERODYNAMIC STALL. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction - maneuver - excessive, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT WAS FLYING THE LOCAL CHIEF OF POLICE AROUND THE AREA AT ABOUT 400 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND TO SEARCH FOR MARIJUANA PLANTS. THE PILOT INITIATED A STEEP BANK TURN TO THE RIGHT TO REVERSE DIRECTION AFTER COMPLETING A LOW PASS. DURING THE TURN, THE AIRPLANE AERODYNAMICALLY STALLED AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THE LOSS OF LIFT WAS DUE TO A GUST AND DID NOT TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION IN TIME TO RECOVER FORM THE STALL. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES. ## Factual narrative On September 15, 1993, about 1235 hours eastern daylight time, N11689, a Bellanca 7GCBC airplane on floats, operated by the owner/pilot, impacted terrain while maneuvering and was substantially damaged. The certificated private pilot was not injured and the passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The aerial observation flight departed from the Penopscot River near Medway, Maine, and was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector, the private pilot was flying the local chief of police around the area at about 400 feet above the ground to search for marijuana plants. The pilot stated that he "turned from a headwind to a tailwind, and lost . . . lift." The pilot further stated, "I thought it was a gust, not a stall, so I corrected for a gust. I didn't lower the nose in time, causing an aggravated stall. The plane started to turn to the left, and hit the ground before I could totally correct." The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions. An examination of the wreckage by the FAA inspector at the accident site did not reveal any evidence of pre-impact mechanical deficiencies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N11689](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11689-2022-01-08), registration cancelled 2022-01-08, S/N 354-72 (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: 354-72 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Jay R. Mclaughlin - Registered owner: Jay R. Mclaughlin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic - Departed: MEDWAY, ME ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 511 total, 403 in this make and model, 455 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BGR, 60 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 19930915034429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930915034429A), Sep 15, 1993: Bbavia 7GCBC, Mattawamkeag, ME, Substantial damage. Flying low to look for marijuana plants. Stalled reversing course. Too low to recover. 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.