Bellanca 7KCAB accident near Florence, South Carolina, October 26, 1989
On October 26, 1989 at about 3:00 pm local time, a Bellanca 7KCAB, registered N57470, was substantially damaged in an accident near Florence, South Carolina (Elliot Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE WORN STEERING SYSTEM.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 26, 1989 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Florence, South Carolina · Elliot Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 7KCAB · all 7KCABs on the register
- Registration
- N57470 · registry record · serial 375-73
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHILE ATTEMPTING A LANDING AT HIS PRIVATE AIRSTRIP, THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE ON THE LANDING ROLL. HE STATED THAT THE RIGHT BRAKE LOCKED WHEN HE APPLIED THE HEEL BRAKES & WOULD NOT RELEASE. HE THEN APPLIED LEFT BRAKE AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE DID NOT REVEAL A BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. HOWEVER, THE TAILWHEEL STEERING ARM & FORK ASSEMBLY WERE WORN BEYOND LIMITS, WHICH AFFECTED DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 700 hours in all; 150 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Hartsville SC at 2:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0, 1,500 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 045° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
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.