Bellanca 7GCBC accident near Sedgwick, Maine, August 5, 2001
On August 5, 2001 at about 7:30 pm local time, a Bellanca 7GCBC, registered N80195, was destroyed in an accident near Sedgwick, Maine. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the pilot to maintain control while maneuvering.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 5, 2001 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Sedgwick, Maine · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Bellanca 7GCBC · all 7GCBCs on the register
- Registration
- N80195 · registry record · serial 270-70
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Several witnesses observed the Champion 7GCBC flying low and maneuvering. The witnesses agreed that while maneuvering, the nose of the airplane dropped and the airplane descended into a wooded area. Examination of the airplane revealed the tachometer was at 2,500 rpm. Several pieces of wood with smooth angular cuts were found along the debris trail that led to the at the accident site. The largest piece of cut wood was about 5 inches across. Flight control continuity was confirmed; however, the intensity of the fire melted many metal components, and the some items could not be checked. Based upon an estimated weight and balance, the airplane could carry 11 gallons of gasoline and remain under the maximum allowable takeoff weight, or with full fuel it would be 161 pounds over its maximum allowable takeoff weight. The actual amount of fuel onboard at takeoff and at the time of the accident was not determined.
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: 500 hours in all; 430 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 18, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,015 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 14, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 1,650 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A2B (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: 07B Blue Hill ME at 7:00 pm
- Destination: 07B ME
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 7:35 pm from BHB, 14 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.