# NTSB MIA97LA205: Bellanca 7ECA, N7636S, Mooresville, NC, July 5, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1997, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Mooresville, NC
- Coordinates: 35.650283, -80.720855 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6503&lon=-80.7209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38308
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA205
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38308/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA205

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point on landing resulting in a go-around, and a subsequent in-flight collision with trees and terrain.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - tree(s)
  - proper touchdown point - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The pilot stated he was landing on a 2,000 foot long grass strip. He approach was fast, he landed long, bounced, and saw that he would not be able to stop the airplane before going off the end of the runway into the trees. He attempted a go-around, and the airplane collided with the trees and terrain.

## Factual narrative

On July 5, 1997, about 1730 eastern daylight time, a Bellanca 7ECA, N7636S, registered to a private owner crashed on landing at Miller Air Park, Mooresville, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and one passenger reported minor injuries. The flight originated from Lake Norman Air Park, Mooresville, North Carolina, about 10 minutes before the accident.

The pilot stated this was his first landing on the 2,000-foot grass strip. His approach was fast. He landed long, bounced and saw he was not going to be able to stop the airplane before going off the end of the runway into the trees. He attempted a go-around, and the airplane collided with the trees and terrain.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7636S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7636S), registered now, S/N 1165-76, built 1976 (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: 1165-76
- Airframe hours: 1463
- Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert C. Cahill
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1997, 23 hours before
- Departed: 14A, NC
- Destination: NC30, NC
- Airport: NONE, Miller Airpark, runway 36, 2,000 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 380 total, 69 in this make and model, 380 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,600 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT, 37 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 19970705017009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970705017009A), Jul 5, 1997: Bbavia 7ECA, Mooresville, NC, Substantial damage. Landed long tried go around lat and struck trees off end runway. Flipped over in center of a highway. (-23) pilot made an approach to land on grass strip at…

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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