# NTSB CHI95LA113: Bellanca 7ECA, N2598Z, Higginsville, MO, April 2, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 2, 1995, 11:46 local (16:46 UTC) - Place: Higginsville, MO - Coordinates: 39.060798, -93.719375 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0608&lon=-93.7194&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report June 19, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9862 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA113 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9862/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA113 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the attempted takeoff. The gusty crosswind was a factor. ## 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) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - lift-off - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with object, takeoff - aborted - object - fence - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF FROM A GRASS RUNWAY WITH A DIRECT 10 TO 12 KNOT CROSSWIND. HE STATED 'A GUST OF WIND PUT US AIRBORNE MUCH BEFORE I WAS READY TO BRING UP THE TAIL...BLEW US COMPLETELY OFF THE RUNWAY.' THE LANDING GEAR CAUGHT THE TOP STRAND OF A BARBED WIRE FENCE. THE PILOT REPORTED THE AIRPLANE PULLED UP ABOUT 1,000 FEET OF FENCE BEFORE THE AIRPLANE WAS PULLED BACK TO THE GROUND. ## Factual narrative On April 2, 1995, at 1146 central daylight time, a Bellanca 7ECA, N2598Z, piloted by the owner/operator, crashed during an aborted takeoff at a private grass airstrip in Higginsville, Missouri. The airplane sustained substantial damage when it struck a barbed wire fence, then impacted terrain. The private pilot and the one passenger on board the airplane received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, no flight plan was filed. The pleasure flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and the accident occurred during the intended takeoff. The pilot reported he attempted to takeoff from the 2,300' X 100' grass runway with a direct crosswind which he estimate to be 10 to 12 knots. He stated "...a gust of wind put us airborne much before I was ready to bring up the tail. The wind gust blew us completely off the runway. Unknowingly, as I was attempting to get back to the runway, I picked up the top strand of barbed wire...I pulled up about 1,000 feet of fence before it stopped my flight and caused the plane to crash onto the runway." The pilot stated the accident could have been prevented if he had been "...very wary of strong crosswinds, particularly when buildings or obstructions are adjacent to runway." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2598Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2598Z-2011-06-22), registration cancelled 2011-06-22, S/N 1222-77, built 1977 (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: 1222-77 - Airframe hours: 3533 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bond, Robert E. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, April 21, 1994, 48 hours before - Destination: N/A, WARRENSBURG, MO - Airport: NONE, Harbet, runway 28, 2,300 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 876 total, 250 in this make and model, 876 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 13 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SZL, 25 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 19950402006389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950402006389A), Apr 2, 1995: Bbavia 7ECA, Higginsville, MO, Substantial damage. Lost control after aborting cross wind takeoff. Blown off runway. Pulled up 1000 feet of fence prior stopping. ## Other investigations on N2598Z (2) 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. - [NTSB OAK78DVD46](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78DVD46), Jul 2, 1978: Bellanca 7ECA (N2598Z), Sonoma, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB OAK78DVD18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78DVD18), Feb 11, 1978: Bellanca 7ECA (N2598Z), Sonoma, CA, substantial damage 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.