# NTSB CHI96LA242: Bellanca 7ECA, N5026K, Belle Plaine, MN, July 15, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1996, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Belle Plaine, MN
- Coordinates: 44.620643, -93.760696 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6206&lon=-93.7607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 29, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10312
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA242
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10312/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA242

## Probable cause

the pilot's misjudgment of the distance and speed during the landing, and his delay in initiating a go-around.  Factors relating to the accident were: the tall grass and ravine at the end of the runway.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)
  - distance/speed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ravine (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was on downwind for landing on runway 35, when he noticed a two to three story house 'just off the end of the runway.'  He shortened his downwind leg which 'caused a fairly high initial final approach.... This required a slip to the runway. Since excessive airspeed was built up, the aircraft continued to float.'  He decided to go-around and applied full power; however, the landing gear impacted tall grass at the departure end of the runway, then a ravine.

## Factual narrative

On July 15, 1996, about 1200 central daylight time, a Bellanca 7ECA, N5026K, sustained substantial damage when it impacted vegetation during an attempted go around in Belle Plaine, Minnesota.  The pilot reported minor injury and the sole passenger sustained serious injury.  The personal, 14 CFR Part 91 flight departed the St. Paul Flemming Airport about 1130.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was on file.

In his written statement, the pilot reported that he was on downwind to runway 35, when he noticed a two to three story house "just off the end of the runway."  He shortened his downwind leg which "caused a fairly high initial final approach.... This required a slip to the runway.  Since excessive airspeed was built up, the aircraft continued to float."  He decided to execute a go around and applied full power.  The landing gear impacted tall grass at the departure end of the runway, then a ravine.  The airplane sustained substantial damage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5026K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5026K), registered now, S/N 1278-78, built 1978 (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: 1278-78
- Airframe hours: 808
- Engines: Lycoming O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas F. Tischida
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, October 22, 1995, 48 hours before
- Departed: D97, ST PAUL, MN
- Destination: 7Y7
- Airport: 7Y7, Belle Plaine, runway 35, 2,530 × 215 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 577 total, 127 in this make and model, 9 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °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 19960715028649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960715028649A), Jul 15, 1996: Bbavia 7ECA, Belle Plaine, MN, Substantial damage. High and long. Began go around. Wheels caught 4FT tall grass end of runway. Slowed. Impact just off end of runway. (-23) during approach to landing pilot…

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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