# NTSB DEN82FTI04: Bellanca 7GCBC, N5542K, Fairfield, MT, October 31, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: October 31, 1981
- Place: Fairfield, MT · FAIRFIELD, MT
- Location: 47.6154° N, 111.9813° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fairfield, MT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6154&lon=-111.9813&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 7, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 123220
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82FTI04
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FTI04

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2474  81/10/31   FAIRFIELD,MT        BELLANCA 7GCBC      CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 26, 402
        TIME - 1715                    N5542K              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 9 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CHOTEAU,MT                  FAIRFIELD,MT
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        REMARKS- LNDD ON COUNTY ROAD.COLLIDED W GUY WIRE FM PWR LINE POLE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5542K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5542K-2013-01-31), registration cancelled 2013-01-31, S/N 1030-78, built 1978 (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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19811031071659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19811031071659A), Oct 31, 1981: Bbavia 7GCBC, Fairfield, MT, Substantial damage. Landed on a farm road. Outer portion of wing was sheared off by a guy wire located on edge of road.

## Other investigations on N5542K (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 WPR12FA123](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12FA123), Mar 5, 2012: Bellanca 7GCBC (N5542K), Brockton, MT, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and airplane control while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in a stall and subsequent impact with terrain.

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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