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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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May 27, 2015 · Bellanca 8KCAB · N102EC

Superior, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 27, 2015
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Superior, WI
Aircraft
Bellanca 8KCAB (1978)
Tail Number
N102EC
Operator
Superior Flying Services
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN15LA242

The pilot reported that, while climbing after a touch-and-go landing, the airplane began an uncommanded left bank. The pilot perceived that the ailerons were jammed and attempted to regain control of the airplane; however, he was not successful, so he performed a forced landing to the airport property. A postaccident examination of the airplane found a 9-volt battery jammed in the aileron bell crank. The pilot reported that the battery was the same brand he used for his headset and that he had changed the batteries in flight several days before the accident flight. It is likely that the pilot dropped the battery during that flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Lateral/bank control-Attain/maintain not possible - C

Full Narrative

On May 27, 2015, about 1405 central daylight time, a Bellanca 8KCAB airplane, N102EC, experienced a loss of control authority and impacted terrain during a forced landing near the Richard I Bong Airport (SUW), Superior, Wisconsin. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan.According to the pilot, the flight was normal until after the second touch and go landing. The airplane was in a climb from the runway when it began an uncommanded left bank. He perceived that the ailerons were jammed and attempted to regain control of the airplane but was not successful. Additionally the pilot could not get the airplane to climb, so when the airplane was about 100 feet above ground level he performed a forced landing to the airport property. The airplane's forward fuselage was substantially damaged during the forced landing. A postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector found a 9-volt battery jammed in the lower right aileron bellcrank. The pilot reported that the battery was the same brand that the he used for his headset. He had previously changed the batteries in flight several days earlier, but thought that he had accounted for all of the batteries.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:05 CDT
Nearest AirportRichard I Bong (0nm NW)
Runway32
Runway Length4001 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBellanca 8KCAB
Tail NumberN102EC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSuperior Flying Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · AEIO-360-H1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 31 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter29.86 inHg
Observation Time18:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data