# NTSB NYC04CA080: Bellanca 7ECA, N86715, Hornell, NY, February 29, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 29, 2004, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Hornell, NY - Coordinates: 42.382221, -77.68222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3822&lon=-77.6822&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 58837 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04CA080 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58837/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04CA080 ## Probable cause An inadvertent encounter with soft snow during takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - terrain condition - soft (cause) - Gear collapsed, takeoff - initial climb - Miscellaneous/other, cruise - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis During takeoff from a private snow-covered airstrip, the left ski encountered soft snow. The left ski imbedded into the snow and separated from the spring gear. The increased friction caused the right ski to drag and bend vertically. The airplane was near takeoff speed, and the pilot believed his only choice was to continue the flight. The pilot continued the takeoff, declared an emergency, and flew to a nearby public airport where emergency vehicles were awaiting. The pilot subsequently performed a "dead stick" precautionary landing to an asphalt runway. During the landing, the left wing struts bent and the spring gear was further damaged. The pilot had used the airstrip one day prior to the accident, and did not experience any problems. In addition, prior to the accident takeoff, the pilot taxied along the airstrip for 15 minutes, and did not note any problems with the runway. ## Factual narrative On February 29, 2004, about 1000 eastern standard time, a Bellanca 7ECA, N86715, was substantially damaged while landing at Hornell Municipal Airport (4G6), Hornell, New York. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that originated from a private airstrip near Avoca, New York. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The accident airplane was equipped with skis, and the runway at the private airstrip was 2,000 feet long, 100 feet wide, consisting of 12 to 15 inches of crusted snow. About 0910, during the takeoff run, the left ski encountered soft snow. The left ski imbedded into the snow and separated from the spring gear. The increased friction caused the right ski to drag and bend vertically. The airplane was near takeoff speed, and the pilot believed his only choice was to continue the flight. The pilot continued the takeoff, declared an emergency, and flew to Hornell. The pilot subsequently performed a "dead stick" precautionary landing on runway 18 at Hornell. During the landing on the asphalt runway, the left wing struts bent and the spring gear was further damaged. The pilot added that he had used his private airstrip one day prior the accident takeoff, and did not experience any problems. Between the prior use and the accident takeoff, the weather had warmed and cooled, but there was no precipitation. Prior to the takeoff, the pilot taxied along the airstrip for 15 minutes while letting the airplane engine warm up. During the taxi, the pilot did not note any problems with the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N86715](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N86715), registered now, S/N 1017-74, built 1974 (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: 1017-74 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Karl Anderson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: NONE, Avoca, NY - Destination: 4G6, Hornell, NY - Airport: 4G6, Hornell Municipal Airport, runway 18, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 277 total, 333 in this make and model, 312 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 27 °F ## 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 20040229021159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040229021159A), Feb 29, 2004: Bbavia 7ECA, Hornell, NY, Minor damage. (-23) On February 29, 2004, at 0915 eastern daylight time, a 1974 Bellanca citabria 7ECA, N86715, s/n 1017-74, operated by Mr. Karl v. anderson, departed solo… 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.