# NTSB FTW00LA016: Bellanca 7ACA, N138MB, No. Little Rock, AR, October 24, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 24, 1999, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: No. Little Rock, AR - Coordinates: 34.780445, -92.249801 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7804&lon=-92.2498&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47622 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA016 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47622/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA016 ## Probable cause The pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff. A factor was the partial loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor) - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - terrain condition - ravine ## Analysis The 179-hour private pilot delayed aborting the takeoff from a 3,009 foot runway after she noticed that the takeoff roll seemed longer than usual. The airplane became airborne at 50 mph and climbed to approximately 50 feet agl. The pilot became aware that something was not right and lowered the nose of the airplane to attempt to increase the airspeed to 60 mph. By the time 60 mph was attained, the airplane was too far down the runway to abort the takeoff. The pilot elected to turn left and attempt to return to the runway. During the turn, the right wing of the airplane impacted a gully at the departure end of the runway. The pilot stated that the engine was still running when the airplane contacted the ground. The reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On October 24, 1999, at 1615 central daylight time, a Bellanca 7ACA tail-wheel equipped airplane, N138MB, was substantially damaged while maneuvering following a partial loss of engine power during takeoff from the North Little Rock Airport (1M1), near North Little Rock, Arkansas. The non-instrument rated private pilot and her passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was owned by a private individual and operated by Barrett Aviation, Inc., of North Little Rock, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, for which a flight plan was not filed. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector, who traveled to the accident site, that during the takeoff from runway 35, she noticed that the ground roll seemed longer than usual. The pilot added that the airplane became airborne at 50 mph and climbed to approximately 50 feet agl. She checked the engine instruments and noticed that the tachometer was indicating 2,200 rpm. She became aware that something was not right and lowered the nose of the airplane to attempt to increase the airspeed to 60 mph. By the time 60 mph was attained, the airplane was too far down the 3,009 foot runway to abort the takeoff. The 179-hour pilot stated that she was aware of the trees to her right, a fence, and a roadway at the end of the runway, and elected to turn left and attempt to return to the runway. During the turn, the right wing of the airplane impacted a gully at the departure end of runway 35. The pilot added that the engine was still running when the airplane touched down. The FAA inspector reported that the fuselage of the 1972 vintage airplane was twisted and the wing spar sustained structural damage. The reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N138MB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N138MB), registered now, S/N 56-72 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 7ACA - Registry model: [Bellanca 7ACA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7aca) (registry code 1220438) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 56-72 - Airframe hours: 928 - Engines: Continental C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Barrett Aviation Inc. - Registered owner: Robert G. Smith - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 13, 1999, 40 hours before - Departed: 1M1 - Airport: 1M1, North Little Rock Muni., runway 35, 3,007 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 179 total, 51 in this make and model, 112 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LIT, 7 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 19991024038249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991024038249A), Oct 24, 1999: Bbavia 7ACA, North Little Ro, AR, Substantial damage. (.4) The 179-hour private pilot delayed abortin the takeoff from a 3,009 foot runway after she noticed that the takeoff roll seemed longer than usual. The… 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.