On November 30, 1992, a Bellanca 7ECA (registration N7622S) operated by Dothan Jet Center, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Pike Road, AL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND COLLISION WITH THE GROUND. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft with two pilots crashed during takeoff from a private grass strip, found upright in a pasture with substantial damage. The aircraft was estimated 92 pounds over maximum gross weight.
Introduction
An airline transport pilot in the front cockpit and a commercial pilot in the rear cockpit were taking off from a private grass strip. The airstrip owner reported hearing the engine at full power, followed by a resonant engine noise and then the sound of the crash, which he likened to an aircraft in a spin.
Accident Sequence
The aircraft was subsequently discovered upright in an open pasture adjacent to the runway. Damage consistent with a left wing low, nose low impact with substantial vertical force was observed.
Aircraft Damage
Both wings were broken forward. The left wing spars were fractured at the strut attachment points and at other locations.
Other Findings
It was estimated that at the time of the accident, the aircraft was being operated at approximately 92 pounds in excess of its maximum allowable gross weight. A determination of which pilot was acting as pilot-in-command was not made.