National Transportation Safety Board

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report

Location: Soddy-Daisy, TN Accident Number: ERA19LA080

Date & Time: 01/07/2019, 1334 EST Registration: N8849V
Aircraft: Bellanca 1730 Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

On January 7, 2019, about 1334 eastern standard time, a Bellanca 17-30A, N5624S, was
substantially damaged when it impacted Lake Chickamaugua, while maneuvering near Soddy-
Daisy, Tennessee. The commercial pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was
owned and operated by the commercial pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal
Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for
the local personal flight that originated from Dallas Bay Sky Park (1A0), Chattanooga,
Tennessee, about 1330.

A witness stated that he was in his study at his residence, watching the accident airplane fly
over the lake. He noted that the airplane appeared to do a tight U-turn at a low altitude, about
two or three treetop lengths above the water, which he initially thought might have been
aerobatics. The airplane then spiraled straight down counterclockwise and impacted the lake.
The witness then contacted emergency services and assisted local responders in finding the
wreckage.

The airframe was recovered from the lake and retained for further examination; however, the
engine and propeller were not recovered. Additionally, a GoPro camera was mounted on the
right horizontal stabilizer and data from the camera was forwarded to the National
Transportation Safety Board Vehicle Recorders Division, Washington, DC, for examination.

The four-seat, low-wing, fixed tricycle-gear airplane, was manufactured in 1971. It was powered
by a Continental IO-520, 300-hp engine equipped with a constant speed propeller. Review of
the maintenance records revealed that the airplane's most recent annual inspection was
completed on June 1, 2018. At that time, the airframe and engine had accrued 2,156 total hours
since new.

The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate, with ratings for airplane single-engine land,
airplane multiengine land, helicopter, instrument airplane and instrument helicopter. His most
recent Federal Aviation Administration second-class medical certificate was issued on
February 1, 2018. At that time, the pilot reported a total flight experience of 3,800 hours.

Page 1 of 2 ERA19LA080
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.
Lovell Field (CHA), Chattanooga, Tennessee was located about 19 miles southwest of the
accident site. The recorded weather at CHA, at 1353, was: wind from 180° at 11 knots; visibility
10 miles; scattered clouds at 5,000 ft; broken ceiling at 25,000 ft; temperature 4° C; dew point
-14° C; altimeter 30.41 inches of mercury.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Bellanca Registration: N8849V
Model/Series: 1730 A Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file Operating Certificate(s) None
Held:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: CHA, 682 ft msl Observation Time: 1353 EST
Distance from Accident Site: 19 Nautical Miles Temperature/Dew Point: 4°C / -14°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 5000 ft agl Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 11 knots / , 180°
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 25000 ft agl Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.41 inches Hg Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Chattanooga, TN (1A0) Destination: Chattanooga, TN (1A0)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal Latitude, Longitude: 35.328611, -85.055556
Administrative Information
Investigator In Charge (IIC): Robert J Gretz
Additional Participating Persons: David Alderman; FAA/FSDO; Nashville, TN
Michael Council; Continental Motors; Mobile, AL
Note: The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Page 2 of 2 ERA19LA080
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when
the final report has been completed.