# NTSB CHI96LA055: Bellanca 7ECA, N990WY, Mason, MI, December 16, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 16, 1995, 15:20 local (20:20 UTC) - Place: Mason, MI - Coordinates: 42.579521, -84.439529 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5795&lon=-84.4395&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 1, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10170 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA055 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10170/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA055 ## Probable cause the improper application of the throttle by the pilot resulting in a delayed engine response, and the improper decision by the pilot to make a long fast touchdown requiring the need to take off under powerlines. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - roll/run - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - object - utility pole (cause) - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis The pilot was making a touch-and-go from his home strip. He planned his pattern so as to touch down fast to practice a two-wheel touch-and-go. The airplane touched down halfway down the strip. When the pilot applied power for takeoff, the engine did not respond. The pilot described the engine's sound as being 'like someone putting a hand over the carburetor. It (the engine) was going, but not picking up any rpm.' The pilot advanced the throttle, retarded it and then advanced it again. Because the airplane was now two-thirds of the way down the runway, the pilot continued the takeoff. The pilot's private strip has a powerline which crosses over the strip 175 feet prior to the end. As the airplane went under the powerline, the engine responded with full power, and the airplane's left wing struck a utility pole which supports the powerline along the side of the strip. The airplane struck two trees and a wood fence before it nosed over in a ditch along the side of a road. Examination of the wreckage disclosed flight control continuity and no mechanical anomalies in the engine and engine controls. ## Factual narrative On December 16, 1995, at 1520 eastern standard time (est), a Bellanca 7ECA, N990WY, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when late into a touch and go from a grass strip, the airplane's engine lost power. The airplane subsequently struck a utility pole, trees and a fence before nosing over and coming to rest in a ditch along the side of a road. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. A flight plan was not on file. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The local flight originated from a private strip located five miles northeast of Mason, Michigan at 1430 est. The pilot was interviewed by telephone, on January 11 and 12, 1996. The pilot stated that he checked carburetor heat during his before landing check on downwind leg, noting a slight rpm drop. He then turned the carburetor heat off. The pilot said that he planned his pattern so as to touch down fast to practice a two-wheel, touch-and-go landing. The airplane touched down halfway down the strip. When the pilot applied power for takeoff, the engine did not respond. The pilot described the engine's sound as being "like someone putting a hand over the carburetor. It (the engine) was going, but not picking up any rpm." "I advanced the throttle, then pulled it back and put it in." The pilot could not recall if he advanced the throttle smoothly or rapidly. Because the airplane was now two-thirds of the way down the runway, the pilot elected to continue the takeoff. The pilot's personal grass strip has a powerline which crosses over the strip, 175 feet prior to the end of the strip. He decided to go under the powerline before establishing takeoff attitude. As the airplane went under the powerline, the engine responded with full power. It was also at this time that he saw the airplane's left wing strike a utility pole which supported the powerline. That is the last thing the pilot could recall. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the wreckage at the site found the airplane nosed over across a road from the pilot's home strip. In addition to the utility pole, the airplane had struck two trees and a wooden fence before crossing the road and coming to rest. The right wing had separated from the airplane. The left wing was attached to the fuselage and mangled. There was a significant dent in the leading edge of the left wing approximately 24 inches inboard of the wing tip. The fuselage was twisted forward of rear seat. Several fabric tears and twisted tubing was observed. The forward landing gear were bent rearward. The horizontal and vertical stabilizers, elevator and rudder sustained some minor fabric tears. The engine remained attached to the engine mounts and firewall. The propeller had separated from the airplane at the hub and was found resting ten feet in front of the main wreckage. Both blade tips showed significant curling. Six prop strike marks were observed in the road surface along the ground path of the airplane. Flight control continuity was established. A field examination of the engine and engine controls revealed no mechanical anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N990WY](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N990WY), registered now, S/N 1168-76, 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: 1168-76 - Airframe hours: 280 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Joseph V. Wise - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 16, 1994, 8 hours before - Departed: NONE - Airport: NONE, Private, runway 18, 2,000 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 400 total, 6 in this make and model, 555 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LAN, 15 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 19951216045389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951216045389A), Dec 16, 1995: Bbavia 7ECA, Mason, MI, Substantial damage. Engine failed respond on touch and go. Passed under wires end strip. Engine responded. Wing hit utility pole. (-23) pilot was performing touch and go's at… 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.