Bellanca 7GCBC N11689

Summary

On 15 September 1993 at about 16:35 local time, a Bellanca 7GCBC registered N11689, operated by JAY R. McLaughlin, was involved in an accident near Mattawamkeag, Maine, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 September 1993 at 16:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Mattawamkeag, Maine, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Bellanca 7GCBC

Registration

N11689

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

JAY R. McLaughlin

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Medway → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

BFO93LA177

1 person had minor injuries.

1) THE PILOT'S INITIATION OF AN EXCESSIVE MANEUVER (STEEP BANK TURN) AT 400 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, WHICH RESULTED IN AN AERODYNAMIC STALL, AND 2) THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECOGNITION OF THE NATURE OF THE EMERGENCY, CAUSING A DELAY IN PERFORMING REMEDIAL ACTION TO RECOVER FROM THE AERODYNAMIC STALL.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT WAS FLYING THE LOCAL CHIEF OF POLICE AROUND THE AREA AT ABOUT 400 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND TO SEARCH FOR MARIJUANA PLANTS. THE PILOT INITIATED A STEEP BANK TURN TO THE RIGHT TO REVERSE DIRECTION AFTER COMPLETING A LOW PASS. DURING THE TURN, THE AIRPLANE AERODYNAMICALLY STALLED AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THE LOSS OF LIFT WAS DUE TO A GUST AND DID NOT TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION IN TIME TO RECOVER FORM THE STALL. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.