# NTSB MIA99LA074: Bellanca 7KCAB, N68573, Crystal River, FL, February 3, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 3, 1999, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Crystal River, FL - Location: 28.8955° N, 82.6019° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Crystal River, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.8955&lon=-82.6019&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45714 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA99LA074 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45714/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA074 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during takeoff and his failure to abort the takeoff after directional control was lost. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - swampy ## Analysis The pilot stated that during takeoff, after lifting the tail, the aircraft veered to the left and he was unable to correct the drift. He maintained engine power and the aircraft went off the left side of the runway, lifted off, collided with small trees, and nosed over into a swamp area. Post crash examination showed no evidence of precrash failure or malfunction of the aircraft structure, flight controls, or engine and propeller. Winds were reported to be variable at 5 knots at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On February 3, 1999, about 1515 eastern standard time, a Bellanca 7KCAB, N68573, registered to Crystal Aero Group, Inc., ran off the runway and collided with trees and terrain during takeoff at Crystal River Airport, Crystal River, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that during takeoff the aircraft accelerated, the tail lifted off, and the aircraft became airborne. The aircraft then veered to the left and he was unable to correct the departure from runway heading. He maintained engine power and the aircraft appeared to be gaining height, but was still turning to the left. The wings remained level and there was no buffet. The aircraft then struck the higher part of some small trees and he closed the engine throttle. The aircraft came to rest, nose down, in about 2 feet of water. Postcrash examination of the aircraft was performed by an FAA Inspector. The engine rotated and continuity of the engine assembly was confirmed. The propeller had damage consistent with rotation at low power at the time of ground impact. The engine fuel system was clear of debris and contamination and 100LL fuel was found in the system. All flight controls operated normal. The inspector stated he reviewed a photo taken shortly after the accident and it showed a branch had lodged in the elevator forcing the elevator to the full down or aircraft nose down position. (See attached inspector statement) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N68573](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N68573), registered now, S/N 327-72, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca 7KCAB - Registry model: [Bellanca 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7kcab) (registry code 1220701) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 327-72 - Airframe hours: 2047 - Engines: Lycoming IO-320-G2A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Crystal Aero Group, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 30, 1998, 48 hours before - Departed: X31 - Airport: X31, Crystal River, runway 27, 4,297 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 9,000 total, 3 in this make and model, 8,250 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: X31, 1 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 19990203013599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990203013599A), Feb 3, 1999: Bbavia 7KCAB, Crystal River, FL, Substantial damage. (.19) On February 3, 1999, about 1515 eastern standard time, a Bellanca 7KCAB, N68573, registered to Crystal aero group, inc., ran off the runway and collided… ## Other investigations on N68573 (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 LAX86LA337](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA337), Sep 4, 1986: Bellanca 7KCAB (N68573), Poston, AZ, 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. --- 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.