# NTSB FTW84LA123: Bellanca 7KCAB, N4186Y, Huntsville, TX, January 30, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 29, 1984, 18:30 local (Jan 30, 1984, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Huntsville, TX
- Coordinates: 30.710939, -95.540817 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7109&lon=-95.5408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21250
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21250/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA123

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - removal of control/gust lock(s) - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD FLOWN THE ACFT WITH STUDENTS EARLIER IN THE DAY, & IT WAS HIS HABIT TO FLY THE ACFT AROUND THE PATTERN ONCE AT THE END OF THE DAY PRIOR TO SECURING IT IN THE HANGAR. SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF THE ACFT CRASHED ON THE RWY. EVIDENCE FOUND IN THE REAR COCKPIT INDICATED THAT THE ACFT SEAT BELT WAS WRAPPED AROUND THE AFT STICK. THE FRAYING & DAMAGE ON THE SEAT BELT CORRESPONDED TO WHERE THE ADJUSTMENT BUCKLE WOULD HAVE BEEN IF THE BELT WAS WRAPPED ONCE AROUND THE STICK & BUCKLED WITH THE STICK IN THE FULL AFT POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4186Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7KCAB
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 601-77
- Airframe hours: 1631
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-320-E2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Huntsville Aviation
- Registered owner: Ray Eller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 22, 1983, 54 hours before
- Airport: T39, Huntsville Muni, runway 18, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 4,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 190° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLL, 30 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 19840129002899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840129002899A), Jan 29, 1984: Bbavia 7KCAB, Huntsville, TX, Substantial damage. Crashed shortly after liftoff. Found rear control stick secured in full aft position by the seat belt.

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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