# NTSB CHI90LA110: Bellanca 7GCAA, N55JJ, Lodge, IL, April 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 8, 1990, 14:50 local (19:50 UTC)
- Place: Lodge, IL
- Coordinates: 40.019702, -88.570739 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0197&lon=-88.5707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14653
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14653/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA110

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF. THE CROSSWIND AND THE SOFT/UNEVEN TERRAIN WERE FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS TOWING A GLIDER. DURING THE  TAKEOFF RUN IN A STRONG CROSSWIND, DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST. THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED A SOFT PLOWED FIELD AND NOSED OVER. THE GLIDER PILOT RELEASED THE TOW. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED, BUT THE PILOT REPORTED NO INJURIES. TAKEOFF WAS TO THE WEST. TWENTY-TWO MILES TO THE NORTHEAST, THE WINDS WERE REPORTED FROM 220 DEGREES AT 20 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55JJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55JJ), registered now, S/N 311-75, built 1974 (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
- Serial number: 311-75
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Illini Glider Club, Inc.
- Registered owner: Illini Glider Club Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: runway 27, 2,000 × 70 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 919 total, 450 in this make and model, 910 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DEC, 22 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 19900408007619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900408007619A), Apr 8, 1990: Bbavia 7GCAA, Lodge, IL, Substantial damage. A whirlwind hit tow plane on glider tow. Glider released. Tow plane veered off alfalfa strip and nosed over.

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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