# NTSB CEN20CA310: Champion 7GCBC, N86614, Angola, IN, July 25, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 24, 2020, 20:10 local (Jul 25, 2020, 00:10 UTC) - Place: Angola, IN - Coordinates: 41.636665, -85.086112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6367&lon=-85.0861&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Grand Rapids FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101680 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA310 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101680/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101680 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA310 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a low-level pass, resulting in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack that caused an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's distraction during the low-level pass. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220); 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) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Bellanca 7GCBC, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=1220601), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while performing a low-level pass parallel to the runway in the airplane, he allowed himself to become distracted. The airplane started drifting to the right and he found himself, "fighting the controls not realizing I cross controlled the control surfaces." The pilot felt a sink develop and applied full power with right rudder, but the right wing "unloaded." The pilot attempted to recover; however, he reported the airplane was too low and slow, an aerodynamic stall occurred, and the airplane impacted a grass field. The airplane, which was not equipped with a stall warning system nor was it required to be, sustained substantial damage to the right wing and the fuselage. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while performing a low-level pass parallel to the runway in the airplane, he allowed himself to become distracted. The airplane started drifting to the right and he found himself, "fighting the controls not realizing I cross controlled the control surfaces." The pilot felt a sink develop and applied full power with right rudder, but the right wing "unloaded." The pilot attempted to recover; however, he reported the airplane was too low and slow, an aerodynamic stall occurred, and the airplane impacted a grass field. The airplane, which was not equipped with a stall warning system nor was it required to be, sustained substantial damage to the right wing and the fuselage. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N86614](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N86614-2021-11-13), registration cancelled 2021-11-13, S/N 644-74, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7GCBC (No Series) - 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: 644-74 - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 2022 - Engines: Lycoming Engines O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 12, 2019 - Departed: ANQ, Angola, IN - Destination: ANQ, Angola, IN - Airport: ANQ, Tri-State Steuben County, runway 05, 4,540 × 75 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 24, 2018; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 93 total, 15 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: KOEB, 18 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 20200725009279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200725009279A), Jul 25, 2020: Bellanca 7GCBC, Angola, IN, Substantial damage. On July 25, 2020 at 20:16 eastern daylight time (EDT), an Aeronca 7GCBC aircraft, N86614, registered to [privacy data omitted] and operated by a private pilot… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 9, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101680. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10022911&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_1%20Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation - pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10022835&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Record%20of%20Conversation-Rel.pdf - Accident photographs (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 333 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10023766&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photographs-Rel.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.