# NTSB CHI80FET19: Bellanca 7ECA, N2737Z, Berrien Sprgs, MI, July 2, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 2, 1980
- Place: Berrien Sprgs, MI · BERRIEN SPRGS, MI
- Location: 41.9473° N, 86.3402° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Berrien Springs, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9473&lon=-86.3402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 129775
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI80FET19
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI80FET19

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1119   80/7/2    BERRIEN SPRGS,MI    BELLANCA 7ECA       CR-  0  0  1  MISCELLANEOUS             NO CERTIFICATE, AGE
        TIME - 0720                    N2737Z              PX-  0  0  0  OTHER                     UNK/NR, UNK/NR TOTAL
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            HOURS, UNK/NR IN TYPE,
                                                                                                   NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - ANDREWS
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BERRIEN SPRGS,MI           UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 TAKEOFF: RUN
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           TAKEOFF: RUN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS - UNQUALIFIED PERSON OPERATED AIRCRAFT
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - STOLEN OR UNAUTH=
        REMARKS- UNAUTHORIZED USE OF A/C.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2737Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2737Z), registered now, S/N 1233-78, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ECA
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7eca) (registry code 1220460) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Andrews

## 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 19800702023169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800702023169A), Jul 2, 1980: Bbavia 7ECA, Berrien Springs, MI, Substantial damage. Man stole plane, lost directional control on takeoff. No record of pilot certificate or any flight training.

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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