# NTSB CHI79FEM25: Bellanca 7GCAA, N31252, West Branch, MI, July 7, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: July 7, 1979
- Place: West Branch, MI · WEST BRANCH, MI
- Location: 44.2738° N, 84.2366° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of West Branch, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2738&lon=-84.2366&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 15, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 135070
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI79FEM25
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79FEM25

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1313   79/7/7  NR.WEST BRANCH,MI     BELLANCA 7GCAA      CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 58, 731
        TIME - 1445                    N31252              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 380 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - COMMUNITY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          DETROIT,MI                 WEST BRANCH,MI                MIO,MI
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- DEPARTED MIO WITH LOW FUEL.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31252](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N31252), registered now, S/N 249-72, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCAA
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcaa) (registry code 1220501) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Community

## 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 19790707016169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790707016169A), Jul 7, 1979: Blanca 7GCAA, West Branch, MI, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel, struck telephone pole guywire during approach to farm field.

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.

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