Bellanca 7GCBC N2698Z

Summary

On 15 October 2005 at about 20:45 local time, a Bellanca 7GCBC registered N2698Z was involved in an accident near Williams, Minnesota, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 October 2005 at 20:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Williams, Minnesota, United States

Coordinates

48.7286, -94.6122

Aircraft

Bellanca 7GCBC

Registration

N2698Z

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Roseau → Williams

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI06LA012

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in the airplane stalling. Factors associated with the accident were the low level at which the airplane was maneuvering and the pilot's failure to perform weight and balance calculations prior to the accident.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane contacted the water following a loss of control in flight. The pilot reported he was flying over a friend's cabin when the accident occurred. He reported he flew over the cabin and entered a "standard rate" right turn. He reported they circled 180 degrees and when he tried to level the wings he noticed there was no control pressure on the stick. The pilot reported the right wing dropped and he had limited control of the airplane so he reduced the engine power and added flaps prior to the airplane contacting the water. One witness reported seeing the airplane in a turn prior to it rolling to the right and onto its back. This witness stated the airplane "dove straight in from approx 150 feet." A second witness reported seeing the airplane in a turn with 45 to 60 degrees of bank when it rolled over and descended in a vertical attitude. This witness reported the engine was running and he heard a "pop" sound just prior to the airplane contacting the water. The pilot stated during an interview that the flight controls and engine were operating normally during the flight. He also reported that he did not perform any weight and balance calculations prior to the flight. Weight and balance information indicates the airplane was at least 242 pounds over the maximum gross weight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.