# NTSB FTW85LA264: Bellanca 7ECA, N53958, Ville Platte, LA, June 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1985, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Ville Platte, LA
- Coordinates: 30.689313, -92.280197 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6893&lon=-92.2802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21780
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA264
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21780/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA264

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s)
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - low pass - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD RENTED THE ACFT FOR A LOCAL FLT AND WAS OBSERVED BY GROUND WITNESSES TO HAVE FLOWN VERY LOW (50 FT AGL) OVER MILLER LAKE WHEN THE LEFT WING STRUCK A TREE. THE ACFT CONTINUED FOR APRX 50 FT IN A LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE BEFORE STRIKING ANOTHER TREE, DESCENDING TO THE GROUND AND BURSTING INTO FLAMES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53958](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53958-1989-01-27), registration cancelled 1989-01-27, S/N 115176 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ECA
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7eca) (registry code 1220460) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1151-76
- Airframe hours: 458
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Byron L. Launey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 16, 1985, 39 hours before
- Departed: OPL, OPELOUSAS, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 430 total, 20 in this make and model, 290 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LFT

## 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 19850622027419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850622027419A), Jun 22, 1985: Bbavia 7ECA, Ville Platte, LA, Destroyed. Struck tree after flying low over friends on lake. Impacted ground after hitting second tree and burned.

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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