Bellanca 14-13-2 accident near Smithville, TN
On October 27, 1996, a Bellanca 14-13-2 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Smithville, TN. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- October 27, 1996
- Place
- Smithville, TN
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 14-13-2 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 35.950°N, 85.820°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X06940
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 27, 1996, about 1430 central standard time, a Bellanca 14-13-2, N74306, registered to the pilot, crashed while the pilot was returning to land after takeoff, at the Smithville Municipal Airport, Smithville, Tennessee, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed and the private-rated pilot was fatally injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. Witnesses observed the aircraft takeoff on runway 24 and pass low over the trees at the departure end of the runway. As the aircraft reached an altitude of about 200 feet agl, the engine suddenly "cut off". The pilot transmitted on the airport unicom frequency that he had a problem and was turning back. The aircraft was observed to enter a steep bank to the left and turn to a northeasterly heading, toward the airport. A witness reported the aircraft "appeared to stall and turn downward about 60 degrees." The aircraft descended nose first and was lost from sight behind trees and a hill. The witnesses then observed smoke coming from the trees where the aircraft crashed. PERSONNEL INFORMATION Pilot logbook records showed the pilot last received a flight review on June 29, 1991. Title 14 CFR Part 61.56c requires that a pilot have complete a flight review within 24 calendar months of acting as pilot-in-command. Federal Aviation Administration records showed the pilot was last issued a FAA medical certificate on February 26, 1993. This certificate expired on February 28, 1995.
Probable cause
loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s), shortly after takeoff; and failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while turning in an attempt to maneuver back to the airport, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent into wooded terrain. The pilot's attempt to return to the departure airport was a probable factor.
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Browse: Tennessee · Bellanca aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
