# NTSB ERA10CA112: Bellanca 7ECA, N90923, Calhoun City, MS, March 19, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 19, 2007, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Calhoun City, MS
- Coordinates: 33.770278, -89.238891 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7703&lon=-89.2389&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 17, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 75261
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75261/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75261
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA112

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fallen tree located off the right side of the runway during takeoff.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - high obstruction(s)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot was departing a 50-foot wide turf runway which was oriented north and south. A fallen tree was lying on the right "outer edge" of the runway, but the pilot believed he "had room to miss it." During the takeoff roll, the airplane "went to the right," and the right wing contacted the fallen tree. The airplane spun to the right and collided with a fence. The right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane, and that he "just got too close to the fallen tree."

## Factual narrative

The pilot was departing a 50-foot wide turf runway which was oriented north and south. A fallen tree was lying on the right "outer edge" of the runway, but the pilot believed he "had room to miss it." During the takeoff roll, the airplane "went to the right," and the right wing contacted the fallen tree. The airplane spun to the right and collided with a fence. The right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane, and that he "just got too close to the fallen tree."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90923](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N90923), registered now, S/N 899-73 (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: 899-73
- Engines: Lycoming reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James E. Wade
- Registered owner: James E. Wade
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Departed: MS76, Calhoun City, MS
- Destination: MS76, Calhoun City, MS
- Airport: MS76, Wade Field Airport, runway 18, 2,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 9, 2005; seat: front; flight hours: 715 total, 119 in this make and model, 715 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 12 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 220 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.28 inHg
- Observed at: CBM, 40 nm away

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 23, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75261. 468 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 458 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325692&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 10 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325820&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF

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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