# NTSB CHI92LA134: Bellanca 7ECA, N53988, La Crosse, WI, April 27, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1992, 10:50 local (15:50 UTC)
- Place: La Crosse, WI
- Location: 43.8251° N, 91.2246° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of La Crosse, WI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8251&lon=-91.2246&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15432
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15432/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA134

## Probable cause

VISUAL LOOKOUT INADEQUATE AND DIVERTED ATTENTION BY THE PILOT. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS TRANSMISSION WIRES CROSSING FLIGHT PATH.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID WHILE FLYING A POWERLINE PATROL, HIS ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED AND HE COLLIDED WITH INTERSECTING POWER LINES.  THE ACFT STRUCK THE TERRAIN AND SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL AIRFRAME AND WING DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53988](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53988), registered now, S/N 1161-76, built 1976 (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
- Serial number: 1161-76
- Airframe hours: 11740
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Burnett County Flying
- Registered owner: Burnett County Flying
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 26, 1991, 642 hours before
- Departed: RZN, SIREN, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 4,162 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 4,093 as pilot in command, 222 in the last 90 days, 72 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19920427011609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920427011609A), Apr 27, 1992: Bbavia 7ECA, La Crosse, WI, Substantial damage. While following powerline distracted by another aircraft. Flew into crossing powerline. No ball marking on wires.

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.