NTSB Factual Report

On July 25, 2007, approximately 0845 mountain daylight time, a Bellanca 7GCBC, N88247, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees while descending near Dorsey Creek Ranch Airport (0WY1), Basin, Wyoming. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The cross-country flight departed Thermopolis, Wyoming, approximately 0800 and was en route to 0WY1.

According to the Pilot Aircraft Accident Report Form submitted by the pilot, he had flown around scattered rain showers while en route to Basin, Wyoming. The pilot reported that he was too high during the approach to land and initiated a go-around. The pilot reported a "temporary power failure" and a stall of the left wing. The Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office reported that the airplane impacted several Russian Olive trees, approximately 30 to 35 feet in height, and came to rest in a nose down attitude. The fuselage and engine were crushed aft and both wings were crushed aft and wrinkled. The FAA airworthiness inspector who examined the airplane reported no anomalies.

The South Big Horn County Airport weather observation station, located 7 miles to the northeast of Basin, recorded the temperature as 73 degrees Fahrenheit (F), and the dewpoint as 57 degrees F. According to the carburetor icing chart, the conditions were conducive for "serious icing at glide power."

NTSB Probable Cause

The carburetor icing causing a partial loss of engine power, and the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control leading to the inadvertent stall. A factor contributing to the accident was the conditions conducive for carburetor icing.