Bellanca 7GCBC accident near Mattawamkeag, Maine, September 15, 1993
On September 15, 1993 at about 4:35 pm local time, a Bellanca 7GCBC, registered N11689, was substantially damaged in an accident near Mattawamkeag, Maine. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
1) THE PILOT'S INITIATION OF AN EXCESSIVE MANEUVER (STEEP BANK TURN) AT 400 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, WHICH RESULTED IN AN AERODYNAMIC STALL, AND 2) THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECOGNITION OF THE NATURE OF THE EMERGENCY, CAUSING A DELAY IN PERFORMING REMEDIAL ACTION TO RECOVER FROM THE AERODYNAMIC STALL.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 15, 1993 · about 4:35 pm local time
- Place
- Mattawamkeag, Maine
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 7GCBC · all 7GCBCs on the register
- Registration
- N11689 · no longer on the register · serial 354-72
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT WAS FLYING THE LOCAL CHIEF OF POLICE AROUND THE AREA AT ABOUT 400 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND TO SEARCH FOR MARIJUANA PLANTS. THE PILOT INITIATED A STEEP BANK TURN TO THE RIGHT TO REVERSE DIRECTION AFTER COMPLETING A LOW PASS. DURING THE TURN, THE AIRPLANE AERODYNAMICALLY STALLED AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THE LOSS OF LIFT WAS DUE TO A GUST AND DID NOT TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION IN TIME TO RECOVER FORM THE STALL. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES.
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; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 511 hours in all; 403 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 455 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 1,850 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Medway ME at 2:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 20,000 ft; not recorded at 20,000 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:50 pm from BGR, 60 miles away
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.