1999-02-03: Bellanca 7KCAB (N68573) — Crystal River, FL
On February 3, 1999, a Bellanca 7KCAB (registration N68573) was involved in an aviation accident near Crystal River, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during takeoff and his failure to abort the takeoff after directional control was lost. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Probable cause
The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during takeoff and his failure to abort the takeoff after directional control was lost.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
The pilot stated that during takeoff, after lifting the tail, the aircraft veered to the left and he was unable to correct the drift. He maintained engine power and the aircraft went off the left side of the runway, lifted off, collided with small trees, and nosed over into a swamp area. Post crash examination showed no evidence of precrash failure or malfunction of the aircraft structure, flight controls, or engine and propeller. Winds were reported to be variable at 5 knots at the time of the accident.