Accident Bellanca 7ECA N5026K, Monday 15 July 1996

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Date:	Monday 15 July 1996
Time:	12:00 LT
Type:	Bellanca 7ECA
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N5026K
MSN:	1278-78
Year of manufacture:	1978
Total airframe hrs:	808 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming O-235
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Belle Plaine, MN - United States of America
Phase:	Unknown
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	St Paul, MN (D97)
Destination airport:	(7Y7)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
The pilot reported that he was on downwind for landing on runway 35, when he noticed a two to three story house 'just off the end of the runway.' He shortened his downwind leg which 'caused a fairly high initial final approach.... This required a slip to the runway. Since excessive airspeed was built up, the aircraft continued to float.' He decided to go-around and applied full power; however, the landing gear impacted tall grass at the departure end of the runway, then a ravine.

Probable Cause: the pilot's misjudgment of the distance and speed during the landing, and his delay in initiating a go-around. Factors relating to the accident were: the tall grass and ravine at the end of the runway.

Accident investigation: