# NTSB CEN14CA392: Bellanca 7GCBC, N5530K, Caputa, SD, July 26, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 25, 2014, 20:00 local (Jul 26, 2014, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Caputa, SD - Coordinates: 43.977222, -102.981666 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9772&lon=-102.9817&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 24, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Rapid City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89752 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA392 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89752/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89752 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA392 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper takeoff procedure and the flight instructor's failure to take control of the airplane and abort the takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that the student pilot pushed the throttle about 3/4 of the way in during the takeoff roll, and did not add full power until about 1/2 way down the 1,500 foot grass airstrip. The airplane had not attained flying airspeed by the time it reached the end of the runway. The airplane became airborne, but it settled and impacted the terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and right wingtip. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor reported that the student pilot pushed the throttle about 3/4 of the way in during the takeoff roll, and did not add full power until about 1/2 way down the 1,500 foot grass airstrip. The airplane had not attained flying airspeed by the time it reached the end of the runway. The airplane became airborne, but it settled and impacted the terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and right wingtip. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5530K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5530K-2023-02-04), registration cancelled 2023-02-04, S/N 1026-78 (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: 1026-78 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 2000 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Wright Thomas R - Registered owner: Wright Thomas R - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Caputa, SD - Destination: Caputa, SD - Airport: XXX, Private Airstrip, runway 18, 1,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 76; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2013; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 15,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days - Student pilot; seat: front; flight hours: 10 total, 10 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: RAP ## 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 20140725016489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140725016489A), Jul 25, 2014: Bellanca 7GCBC, Caputa, SD, Substantial damage. The student and instructor departed on a private airfield se of of Caputa, SD. There was a slight breeze from the southeast and the aircraft departed… ## Other investigations on N5530K (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 SEA91LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA140), Jun 24, 1991: Bellanca 7GCBC (N5530K), Newcastle, WY, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FRACTURE FAILURE OF THE LANDING GEAR AXLE. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 3, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89752. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415999&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416000&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF 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.