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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

November 5, 2001 · Bellanca 7GCBC · N256J

Hawley, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 5, 2001
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Hawley, MN
Aircraft
Bellanca 7GCBC
Tail Number
N256J
Operator
Same as Pilot
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI02LA038

The aircraft struck trees during an aborted landing. The pilot lost directional control and then became airborne again. The pilot stated "When I again touched down I was approx 30 angle to the runway, heading 310 looking directly at runway marker. I pushed throttle to full power (too fast) which caused the engine to spit and sputter. I was able to lift up enough to miss runway marker but was not gaining any more altitude. The terrain below was going down because of side hill, then came the trees which are on the neighbors property north of strip, I didn't think I could bank to the left hard enough to miss the trees without having left wing touch the ground. So instead I banked some to the left to avoid direct fuselage hit to tree limbs. My right wing hit the tree, then I fell approx 30-40 feet straight into a small pond/swamp".

NTSB Probable Cause

the failure of the pilot to maintain directional control. A factor was the trees.

Full Narrative

On November 5, 2001, at 1500 central standard time, a Bellanca 7GCBC, N256J, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged during an aborted landing near Hawley, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and not on a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, received minor injuries. The flight departed Detroit Lakes, Minnesota about 15 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated "When I again touched down I was approx 30 angle to the runway, heading 310 looking directly at runway marker. I pushed throttle to full power (to fast) which caused the engine to spit and sputter. I was able to lift up enough to miss runway marker but was not gaining any more altitude. The terrain below was going down because of side hill, then came the trees which are on the neighbors prosperity north of strip, I didn't think I could bank to the left hard enough to miss the trees without having left wing touch the ground. So instead I banked some to the left to avoid direct fuselage hit to tree limbs. My right wing hit the tree, then I fell approx 30-40 feet straight into a small pond/swamp".

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CST
Nearest AirportPRIVATE (0nm N)
Runway28
Runway Length3200 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 7GCBC
Tail NumberN256J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSame as Pilot
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data