Bellanca 14-13-2 accident near Hamilton, Ohio, June 27, 1987
On June 27, 1987 at about 4:35 pm local time, a Bellanca 14-13-2, registered N74259, was substantially damaged in an accident near Hamilton, Ohio (Fairfield). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 27, 1987 · about 4:35 pm local time
- Place
- Hamilton, Ohio · Fairfield
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 14-13-2 · all 14-13-2s on the register
- Registration
- N74259 · no longer on the register · serial 1372
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT RPTD THAT HE MADE A NON-STD RT-HAND DEPARTURE AFTER T/O FROM RWY 29, TO AVOID TRAFFIC DEPARTING TO THE LEFT. THE ACFT BEGAN TO SINK AS HE ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB OVER THE LEE SIDE OF A 200 FT-HIGH RIDGE LESS THAN 1 MILE NORTHWEST OF THE ARPT. THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED TREES AND A UTILITY POLE, AND FELL TO THE GROUND. THE ENGINE WAS DEVELOPING 'GOOD' PWR AT THE TIME. WITNESSES RPTD THAT THE ACFT USED UP MOST OF THE 5,440 FT RWY DURING T/O, AND THAT THE CLIMB RATE WAS POOR. THE ACFT FLAPS WERE OBSERVED TO BE EXTENDED DURING TAKEOFF. POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE FLAPS WERE EXTENDED 30 DEGREES AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE ACFT WAS ESTIMATED TO WEIGH ABOUT 100 POUNDS BELOW GROSS WT AT T/O. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE ARPT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 1,900 FT. THE ARPT WIND WAS ESTIMATED BY A WITNESS TO BE FROM 290 DEGREES AT 10-15 KTS AT THE TIME. A NEARBY RPTNG STATION (LUK) 16 NM AWAY RPTD WINDS FROM 260 DEGREES AT 10 KNOTS GUSTING TO 18 KTS.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,622 hours in all; 1,000 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 15, 1987
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Franklin 6A4150-B3 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HAO Hamilton OH
- Destination: SGH Springfield OH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29, 5,440 ft by 80 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 10 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,500 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:50 pm from LUK, 16 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.