# NTSB IAD97LA010: Bellanca BL28, N5029G, Ledbetter, KY, October 20, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 20, 1996, 16:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: Ledbetter, KY - Coordinates: 37.039474, -88.490318 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0395&lon=-88.4903&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28155 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD97LA010 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28155/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97LA010 ## Probable cause the pilot's delay in executing a go-around, and his failure to obtain/maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall and collision with the ground. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was not satisfied with his first two approaches to land, so he went around each time. He said that on his third approach to land '...everything looked good...' so he 'dropped the plane on the field...' but used up too much runway and tried to go around again. He said the airplane '...started hitting the ground with the right wing...' and then cart-wheeled and came to rest against a tree. According to an FAA report, the pilot reported he stalled the aircraft and the right wing struck the ground, causing the aircraft to cartwheel. The aircraft came to rest 180 degree from the landing direction. ## Factual narrative On October 20, 1996, at about 1620 central daylight time, a Bellanca BL28, N5029G, was destroyed when it collided with terrain during a go-around at a private airstrip in Ledbetter, Kentucky. The pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated in his pilot operator report that he took off and remained in the traffic pattern. He said that he was not satisfied with his first two approaches to land and did go-arounds. He said that on his third approach to land "...everything looked good..." so he "dropped the plane on the field..." but used up too much runway and tried to go-around again. He said the airplane "...started hitting the ground with the right wing..." and then cartwheeled and came to rest against a tree. According to the FAA, the pilot reported he stalled the aircraft and the right wing struck the ground causing the aircraft to cartwheel. Aircraft came to rest 180 degree from the landing direction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5029G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5029G), registered now, S/N 288-78, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca BL28 - Registry model: [Bellanca 8GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8gcbc) (registry code 1220803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 288-78 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-CIE 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert M. Karr - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 17, 1996 - Airport: Private Grass Strip, runway 36, 1,200 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 700 total, 170 in this make and model, 700 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F - Observed at: PAH ## 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 19961020033129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961020033129A), Oct 20, 1996: Bbavia 8GCBC, Ledbetter, KY, Substantial damage. Aircraft overshot runway, tried go around, stalled causing right wing hit ground. Cart wheeled into tree in yard. (-23) pilot elected to make a go-around after… 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.