# NTSB NYC81FA043: Bellanca 7KCAB, N4131Y, North Adams, MA, April 22, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: April 22, 1981
- Place: North Adams, MA · NORTH ADAMS, MA
- Location: 42.6756° N, 73.1181° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of North Adams, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6756&lon=-73.1181&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 21, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126208
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC81FA043
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81FA043

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0702  81/4/22    NORTH ADAMS,MA      BELLANCA 7KCAB      CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1810                    N4131Y              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  AGE 59, 3500 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            UNK/NR IN TYPE, NOT
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - NORTH ADAMS MUNI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          PITTSFIELD,MA               NORTH ADAMS,MA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           UNDERSHOOT                                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SUNGLARE
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- PLT'S BLOOD/ALCOHOL LVL .051 PERCENT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4131Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4131Y-1984-08-20), registration cancelled 1984-08-20, S/N 594-76 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7KCAB
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7kcab) (registry code 1220701) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: North Adams Muni

## 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 19810422018799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810422018799A), Apr 22, 1981: Bbavia 7KCAB, North Adams, MA, Destroyed. Too low on final. Struck trees near approach end of runway. Factors, low sun on windshielf. Alcohol involved.

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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