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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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May 23, 1985 · Champion 7FC · N781VY

Watkins, CO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 23, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Watkins, CO
Aircraft
Champion 7FC
Tail Number
N781VY
Operator
Ivey Simmons
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN85LA140

A WITNESS STATED THE ACFT VEERED APRX 30 DEGS DURING THE LANDING ROLL AND WAS HEADING TOWARD THE NORTH EDGE OF THE RWY WHEN FULL PWR WAS ADDED TO ABORT THE LANDING. THE ACFT TOOK OFF AND TRAVELED OVER A GRASS AND WHEAT FIELD, WHICH BORDERS THE RWY, WITH THE LANDING GEAR TOUCHING THE TOPS OF THE WHEAT. WITNESS CONTINUED TO REPORT, 'THE PILOT THEN GAINED AN ESTIMATED 40 FEET OF ALTITUDE AGL BUT ALSO APPEARED TO BE, IN MY OPINION, CLOSE TO FULL STALL.' THE ACFT CONTINUED TO FLY ALONG THE NORTH SIDE OF THE RWY FOR APRX 2500 FT BEFORE IT ENTERED A STEEP RIGHT BANK AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND RIGHT WING TIP FIRST. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED A BROKEN MAIN AILERON BELLCRANK. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THE BELLCRANK FAILURE RESULTED FROM A SUDDEN OVERLOAD. THE PLT HAD A TOTAL OF 5 HRS FLT TIME IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL ACFT.

Full Narrative

A WITNESS STATED THE ACFT VEERED APRX 30 DEGS DURING THE LANDING ROLL AND WAS HEADING TOWARD THE NORTH EDGE OF THE RWY WHEN FULL PWR WAS ADDED TO ABORT THE LANDING. THE ACFT TOOK OFF AND TRAVELED OVER A GRASS AND WHEAT FIELD, WHICH BORDERS THE RWY, WITH THE LANDING GEAR TOUCHING THE TOPS OF THE WHEAT. WITNESS CONTINUED TO REPORT, 'THE PILOT THEN GAINED AN ESTIMATED 40 FEET OF ALTITUDE AGL BUT ALSO APPEARED TO BE, IN MY OPINION, CLOSE TO FULL STALL.' THE ACFT CONTINUED TO FLY ALONG THE NORTH SIDE OF THE RWY FOR APRX 2500 FT BEFORE IT ENTERED A STEEP RIGHT BANK AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND RIGHT WING TIP FIRST. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED A BROKEN MAIN AILERON BELLCRANK. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THE BELLCRANK FAILURE RESULTED FROM A SUDDEN OVERLOAD. THE PLT HAD A TOTAL OF 5 HRS FLT TIME IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL ACFT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:17 MDT
Nearest AirportFront Range (0nm N)
Runway26
Runway Length8000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftChampion 7FC
Tail NumberN781VY
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorIvey Simmons
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-90-12F · Reciprocating · 90
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 6 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data