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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

June 15, 1997 · Bellanca 7GCBC · N2537Z

Harrisonburg, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 15, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Harrisonburg, VA
Aircraft
Bellanca 7GCBC
Tail Number
N2537Z
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC97LA117

A short final approach was made to runway 5, a 1,200 foot long grass runway. The airplane touched down long, and the pilot executed a go-around by reducing the flaps to 14 degrees and applying full power to the engine. As the airplane climbed, the pilot realized that he would not clear 25-foot high wires that crossed over the departure end of the runway, and executed a sharp stick-back maneuver to gain maximum altitude. The right main landing gear struck the wires, which remained caught with the airplane. The airplane slowed, and descended to the ground nose first, coming to rest inverted.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point. A contributing factor was the transmission line.

Full Narrative

On June 15, 1997 about 1430 Eastern Daylight Time, N2537Z, a Bellanca 7GCBC, was substantially damaged while performing a go-around from a private airstrip near Harrisonburg, Virginia. The pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, a short final approach was made to Runway 5, a 1,200 foot long grass runway. The airplane touched down long, and the pilot executed a go-around by reducing the flaps to 14 degrees and applying full power to the engine. As the airplane climbed, the pilot realized that he would not clear 25-foot high wires that crossed over the departure end of the runway, and executed a sharp stick-back maneuver to gain maximum altitude. The right main landing gear struck the wires, and remained caught with the airplane. The airplane slowed, and descended to the ground nose first, coming to rest inverted. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 EDT
Nearest AirportEarly Field (0nm NE)
Runway5
Runway Length1200 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 7GCBC
Tail NumberN2537Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-2AD · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data