Bellanca 7-GCBC accident near Sebring, Florida, May 3, 1998
On May 3, 1998 at about 11:45 am local time, a Bellanca 7-GCBC, registered N4ME, was destroyed in an accident near Sebring, Florida (River Acres airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper handling of the airplane which led to an inadvertent stall. A factor was the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 3, 1998 · about 11:45 am local time
- Place
- Sebring, Florida · River Acres · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 7-GCBC · all 7-GCBCs on the register
- Registration
- N4ME · no longer on the register · serial 490-73
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Shortly after departure at an altitude of about 300 to 500 feet (AGL), the pilot made a right turn, then a left turn. During the left turn the pilot noticed more resistance than normal with the control stick. The pilot stated that he was returning to the airport when the engine began to backfire, then suddenly stop. The aircraft then collided with a tree, at a 45-degree nose down attitude and burst into flames. According to the FAA, when the engine stopped the airplane stalled and went straight into the trees. Examination of the engine and airframe found them consumed by fire. The reason for the loss of engine power is undetermined.
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
- Flight time: 815 hours in all; 210 in this make and model; 815 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,126 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 14, 1998
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: FD70 Okeechobee FL at 11:45 am
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 15, 4,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:52 am from VRB
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.