# NTSB NYC84LA050: Bellanca 7GCBC Citabria, N5041N, Nantucket, MA, December 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 10, 1983, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Nantucket, MA
- Location: 41.2714° N, 70.0959° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Nantucket, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2714&lon=-70.0959&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35480
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84LA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35480/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA050

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS AND CRASHED DURING A LOW PASS TO OBSERVE AN OBJECT ON THE GROUND. THE FLT HAD DEPARTEDNANTUCKET AND FLOWN OVER TO TUCKERNUCK ISL WHERE A DESCENT WAS MADE TO OBSERVE AN UNUSUAL OBJECT ON A SHOAL. CARBURETOR HEAT WAS APPLIED AND THE THROTTLE CLOSED. AFTER DESCENDING TO 160 FT FLAPS WERE ADDED TO SLOW THE ACFT. WHEN THE OBJECT WAS SIGHTED POWER WAS APPLIED BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. AT THIS TIME THE PLT PLANNED TO LAND ON THE SHOAL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE ENG. THE PLT WORKED THE THROTTLE IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE ENGINE IN A NEAR STALL ATTITUDE THE ENGINE FIRED AND WENT TO HIGH RPM TORQUE ROLLING THE ACFT TO THE LEFT. THE PLT AGAIN CLOSED THE THROTTLE AND USED FULL FORWARD ELEVATOR RIGHT AILERON AND RUDDER. THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND WITH LEFT WING THEN THE LEFT MAIN GEAR AND NOSE GEAR. THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED BUT NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5041N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5041N-2019-01-22), registration cancelled 2019-01-22, S/N 1120-79, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCBC CITABRIA (7GCBC CITA)
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (registry code 1220601) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 356
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David Emory
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ACK, NANTUCKET, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,076 total, 31 in this make and model, 961 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19831210073869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831210073869A), Dec 10, 1983: Bbavia 7GCBC, Nantucket, MA, Substantial damage. After descent engine failed to respond to throttle application. Aircraft crashed when engine caught, causing roll.

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.