# NTSB FTW82DA060: Bellanca 7ECA, N53769, Henderson, TX, February 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 17, 1982, 13:35 local (19:35 UTC)
- Place: Henderson, TX
- Coordinates: 32.239734, -94.730659 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2397&lon=-94.7307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71010
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71010/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA060

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER REDUCING POWER TO IDLE, GLIDING FOR SOME DISTANCE, AND THEN APPLYING CARBURETOR HEAT HE REALIZED THAT ADDITIONAL POWER WOULD BE NEEDED TO REACH THE RUNWAY. POWER WAS ADDED WITH NO RESULTS AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS SET DOWN IN A ROUGH FIELD APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILE SHORT OF THE AIRFIELD. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THAT THE ENGINE DEVELOPED CARBURETOR ICE BEFORE HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT. OTHER PILOTS FLYING IN THE GENERAL AREA STATED THAT THEY HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING CARBURETOR ICING DURING THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53769](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53769), registered now, S/N 1113-75 (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: 111375
- Airframe hours: 349
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William Mayo Ott
- Registered owner: William Mayo Ott
- Departed: F12, KILGORE, TX
- Destination: 4TX6, HENDERSON, TX
- Airport: Rusk County Airport, runway 16, 3,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,354 total, 100 in this make and model, 1,286 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 113 °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 19820217004519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820217004519A), Feb 17, 1982: Bbavia 7ECA, Henderson, TX, Substantial damage. During approach for landing, power was applied with no results. Aircraft crashed short of runway.

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.
