# NTSB MIA91LA204: Bellanca 7EA, N41689, Venice, FL, August 25, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1991, 07:43 local (11:43 UTC)
- Place: Venice, FL
- Coordinates: 27.090116, -82.430404 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.0901&lon=-82.4304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32917
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA204
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32917/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA204

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE ON TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL DUE TO HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE AND FLIGHT TIME IN THIS TYPE OF AIRPLANE.  A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IS AN ON-GROUND ENCOUNTER WITH A CROSSWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PILOT, WHO HAD RECENTLY CHECKED OUT IN CONVENTIONAL GEAR AIRPLANES, WAS ON TAKEOFF ROLL IN A SLIGHT CROSSWIND. HE STATED THAT AS HE LIFTED THE TAILWHEEL HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, LEFT THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N41689](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N41689-2012-11-07), registration cancelled 2012-11-07, S/N 978-73, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7EA
- 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: 978-73
- Airframe hours: 3046
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles C. Warren
- Registered owner: Huffman Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 19, 1991, 3 hours before
- Airport: VNC, Venice Muni, runway 22, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 920 total, 6 in this make and model, 850 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: SRQ, 27 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 19910825036499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910825036499A), Aug 25, 1991: Bbavia 7ECA, Venice, FL, Substantial damage. Lost control after lifting tailwheel off runway. Veered off runway into a ditch.

## Other investigations on N41689 (1)

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.

- [NTSB MKC80DER13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC80DER13), Nov 25, 1979: Bellanca 7ECA (N41689), St James, MN, substantial damage

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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