# NTSB CHI94LA297: Bellanca 7EAC, N2872Z, Alexandria, MN, August 24, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1994, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Alexandria, MN
- Coordinates: 45.870552, -95.370452 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8706&lon=-95.3705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9653
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA297
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9653/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA297

## Probable cause

The second pilot's failure to remove carburetor heat during the takeoff phase resulting in a loss of power and inadvertent stall.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - touch-and-go - performed, copilot/second pilot
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, copilot/second pilot (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - stall - inadvertent, copilot/second pilot
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

The private pilot, seated in the front, reported he was practicing touch and go landings, and immediately after takeoff noticed that the airplane did not have the normal amount of lift. He then realized the carburetor heat was still on, and immediately shut it off. While trying to gain altitude, the airplane stalled. The pilot-in-command, seated in the back, took control of the airplane and corrected the stall attitude, but was unable to obtain sufficient airspeed.  The airplane impacted the ground and came to rest inverted.

## Factual narrative

On August 24, 1994, at 1715 central daylight time, a Bellanca 7EAC, N2872Z, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain shortly after taking off from Alexandria Municipal Airport, Alexandria, Minnesota.  The private pilot reported no injuries.  The pilot in command, an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) who was seated in the back, also reported no injuries.  The 14 CFR Part 91 local flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without flight plan.

The private pilot reported he was practicing touch and go landings on runway 22 at Alexandria.  Immediately after takeoff, he noticed that the airplane did not have the normal amount of lift. The pilot then realized that the carburetor heat was still on and he immediately shut it off.  While trying to gain altitude, the airplane stalled.  At this point, the ATP pilot took control of the airplane.  He corrected the stall attitude but was unable to obtain sufficient airspeed.  The airplane impacted the ground and came to rest inverted.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2872Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2872Z-1994-11-09), registration cancelled 1994-11-09, S/N 123878 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7EAC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7eca) (registry code 1220460) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1238-78
- Airframe hours: 7173
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Alexandria Aero Partners
- Registered owner: Alexandria Aero Partners
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 7, 1994, 44 hours before
- Airport: AXN, Alexandria Municipal, runway 22, 2,801 × 209 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 5,808 total, 51 in this make and model, 5,100 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19940824023289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940824023289A), Aug 24, 1994: Bbavia 7ECA, Glenwood, MN, Substantial damage. Stalled a wing on touch and go. Wing hit ground. Aircraft flipped 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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