Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary NYC97LA117

HARRISONBURG, VA, USA

Aircraft #1

N2537Z

Bellanca 7GCBC

Analysis

A short final approach was made to runway 5, a 1,200 foot long grass runway. The airplane touched down long, and the pilot executed a go-around by reducing the flaps to 14 degrees and applying full power to the engine. As the airplane climbed, the pilot realized that he would not clear 25-foot high wires that crossed over the departure end of the runway, and executed a sharp stick-back maneuver to gain maximum altitude. The right main landing gear struck the wires, which remained caught with the airplane. The airplane slowed, and descended to the ground nose first, coming to rest inverted.

Factual Information

On June 15, 1997 about 1430 Eastern Daylight Time, N2537Z, a Bellanca 7GCBC, was substantially damaged while performing a go-around from a private airstrip near Harrisonburg, Virginia. The pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, a short final approach was made to Runway 5, a 1,200 foot long grass runway. The airplane touched down long, and the pilot executed a go-around by reducing the flaps to 14 degrees and applying full power to the engine. As the airplane climbed, the pilot realized that he would not clear 25-foot high wires that crossed over the departure end of the runway, and executed a sharp stick-back maneuver to gain maximum altitude. The right main landing gear struck the wires, and remained caught with the airplane. The airplane slowed, and descended to the ground nose first, coming to rest inverted. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.

Probable Cause and Findings

the pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point. A contributing factor was the transmission line.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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