# NTSB CHI99LA098: Bellanca 7GCBC, N57468, Grand Rapids, MN, February 18, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 18, 1999, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Grand Rapids, MN - Location: 47.2385° N, 93.5326° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Grand Rapids, MN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2385&lon=-93.5326&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 13, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45804 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA098 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45804/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA098 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate visual lookout. A factor to the accident was the unmarked transmission wire. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency landing ## Analysis The pilot was practicing a short-field landing approach to the frozen lake. The pilot stated that on approach to the frozen lake he struck the unmarked transmission wires with his vertical stabilizer. The pilot stated that he retained control of the aircraft and landed on the frozen lake. The pilot did not report any engine or flight control anomalies prior to contacting the transmission wires. ## Factual narrative On February 18, 1999, at 1430 central standard time, a Bellanca 7GCBC, N57468, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage resulting from an in-flight collision with transmission wires while maneuvering over Prairie Lake, near Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 as a business flight. The flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The flight departed Grand Rapids/Itasca County Gordon Newstrom Field, near Grand Rapids, Minnesota, at 1315, for a local flight. According to the pilot's written statement, he was practicing a landing approach to the frozen lake. The pilot stated that on approach to the frozen lake he struck the unmarked transmission wires with his vertical stabilizer. The pilot stated that he retained control of the aircraft and landed on the frozen lake. The pilot did not report that any engine or flight control anomalies were present before the airplane contacted the transmission wires. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N57468](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N57468), registered now, S/N 514-73, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 7GCBC - Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (registry code 1220601) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 514-73 - Airframe hours: 1508 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gregory Clyde Lease - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 1998, 20 hours before - Departed: GPZ, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,250 total, 800 in this make and model, 1,208 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 5 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GPZ, 6 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 19990218001829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990218001829A), Feb 18, 1999: Bbavia 7GCBC, Grand Rapids, MI, Substantial damage. Acft was conducting a low level flight when it struck power lines, other circumstances are unknown. (From .19) on February 18, 1999, at 1430 central daylight… ## Other investigations on N57468 (1) 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 ANC76DAD01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAD01), Jul 5, 1975: Bellanca 7GCBC (N57468), Kake, AK, 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.