# NTSB CHI02LA038: Bellanca 7GCBC, N256J, Hawley, MN, November 5, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 5, 2001, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Hawley, MN - Coordinates: 46.849998, -96.233329 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8500&lon=-96.2333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 57370 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA038 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57370/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA038 ## Probable cause the failure of the pilot to maintain directional control. A factor was the trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - aborted - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, landing - aborted - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The aircraft struck trees during an aborted landing. The pilot lost directional control and then became airborne again. The pilot stated "When I again touched down I was approx 30 angle to the runway, heading 310 looking directly at runway marker. I pushed throttle to full power (too fast) which caused the engine to spit and sputter. I was able to lift up enough to miss runway marker but was not gaining any more altitude. The terrain below was going down because of side hill, then came the trees which are on the neighbors property north of strip, I didn't think I could bank to the left hard enough to miss the trees without having left wing touch the ground. So instead I banked some to the left to avoid direct fuselage hit to tree limbs. My right wing hit the tree, then I fell approx 30-40 feet straight into a small pond/swamp". ## Factual narrative On November 5, 2001, at 1500 central standard time, a Bellanca 7GCBC, N256J, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during an aborted landing near Hawley, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and not on a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, received minor injuries. The flight departed Detroit Lakes, Minnesota about 15 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated "When I again touched down I was approx 30 angle to the runway, heading 310 looking directly at runway marker. I pushed throttle to full power (to fast) which caused the engine to spit and sputter. I was able to lift up enough to miss runway marker but was not gaining any more altitude. The terrain below was going down because of side hill, then came the trees which are on the neighbors prosperity north of strip, I didn't think I could bank to the left hard enough to miss the trees without having left wing touch the ground. So instead I banked some to the left to avoid direct fuselage hit to tree limbs. My right wing hit the tree, then I fell approx 30-40 feet straight into a small pond/swamp". ## Aircraft - Registration: [N256J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N256J-2003-10-25), registration cancelled 2003-10-25, S/N 1212-80, built 1980 (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: 1212-80 - Airframe hours: 1265 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Same As Pilot - Registered owner: Paul W. White, Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 21, 2001, 38 hours before - Departed: DTL, DETROIT LAKES, MN - Destination: HAWLEY, MN - Airport: MY99, Private, runway 28, 3,200 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: minor; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 29, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 350 total, 84 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles ## 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 20011105037119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011105037119A), Nov 5, 2001: Bbavia 7GCBC, Hawley, MN, No damage. (-23) Airman lost directional control during crosswind landing. The crosswind from the left lifted the upwind wing. Pilot attempted to reject the landing at… 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.