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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 17, 1994 · Bellanca 7GCBC · N36236

Lewisburg, WV

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 17, 1994
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Lewisburg, WV
Aircraft
Bellanca 7GCBC
Tail Number
N36236
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC94LA083

According to the pilot, he decided to leave on the flight a day earlier because of forecasted weather over his intended route of flight, and the airplane was not equipped for instrument flight. Approximately 2 hours after the flight started, the pilot said he encountered fog, and elected to land, refuel, and wait for the weather to clear. After waiting approximately 1 1/2 hours, he took off, and again encountered fog. He elected to turn back and land at the same airport again. This time he waited several hours on the ground, checked weather and took off again. After several minutes of flight he again encountered fog. The pilot wrote in his statement, '...told (passenger) looks like weather is getting [bad]...[and] we were returning to [home airport]...I made a 180 degree turn, was setting my Loran...when encountered fog, next thing I saw was trees....' The airplane impacted the trees and came to rest with engine resting on a rock and the engine still running.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE INFLIGHT DECISION, INADVERTENT VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE WHICH RESULTED IN INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH TREES. A FACTOR WAS INADEQUATE ALTITUDE.

Full Narrative

On May 17, 1994, about 1530 eastern daylight time, a Bellanca 7GCBC, N36236, piloted by Mr. Sydnor C. Newman Jr., collided with trees while maneuvering near Lewisburg, West Virginia. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was operated under 14 CFR 91. According to the pilot, he decided to leave on the flight a day earlier, because of forecasted weather over his intended route of flight, and the airplane was not equipped for instrument flight. In the vicinity of Lewisburg, West Virginia, and approximately 2 hours after the flight started, the pilot said he encountered fog. He elected to land at the Lewisburg Airport, refuel, and wait for the weather to clear. The pilot wrote in his statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2: ...landed...at 09:00. Took off again approximately one and one half (1 1/2) hours later, encountered fog again...returned again to (Lewisburg). After checking weather we took off at 15:00, after seeing sunshine...told (passenger) looks like weather is getting [bad]...[and] we were returning to FVX [Farmville, Virginia, home airport]...I made a 180 degree turn, was setting my Loran to FVX when encountered fog, next thing I saw was trees... The airplane struck trees, and came to rest with the engine resting against a rock with the engine still running.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 7GCBC
Tail NumberN36236
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 63 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 8 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 1700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data