Casualties unknown

2006-01-27: Bellanca 7ECA (N55CW) — Pontiac, MI

Pontiac, MI, US

On January 27, 2006, a Bellanca 7ECA (registration N55CW) was involved in an aviation accident near Pontiac, MI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The excessive bank angle executed by the flight crew and their failure to maintain airspeed during the turn, which led to the inadvertent stall and subsequent impact with the ground. A factor was the low altitude. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane was destroyed when it impacted the ground while maneuvering for landing after a touch-and-go and subsequent clearance to land on a different runway. Witnesses reported steep bank turns during previous traffic patterns.

Accident Overview

The airplane was destroyed when it impacted the ground while maneuvering for landing. No anomalies were found with respect to the airplane that could be determined to have existed prior to impact.

Sequence of Events

After completing a touch-and-go landing on runway 27L, the pilot requested a full-stop landing. The control tower operator offered to allow the airplane to land on a parallel runway in the opposite direction. Communications transcripts show that the pilot accepted this offer and was subsequently cleared for landing on runway 09L. The airplane impacted the ground off of the approach end of runway 09L.

Witness Observations

According to several witnesses, the airplane had been performing takeoffs and landings prior to the accident. Witnesses reported that during preceding traffic patterns, the airplane was making steep bank turns that were not necessary for normal flight.

Communication Details

Transcripts of communications show that the airplane was cleared for landing a total of 24 times during the 67-minute flight, yielding an average traffic pattern of less than 3 minutes between landings.

Aircraft Condition

No anomalies were found with respect to the airplane that could be determined to have existed prior to impact.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20060203X00159. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.