# Accident 20200509004639A: Bellanca 8GCBC, Byron, CA, May 9, 2020

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 9, 2020, 13:27 local time
- Place: Byron, CA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 37.8353° N, 121.6314° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8353&lon=-121.6314&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4116Y, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4116Y-2021-03-06) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Bellanca 8GCBC (registry code 1220803, https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8gcbc) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 series (registry code 41514, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8GCBC
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR20LA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA141) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200509004639A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

VIDEO SHOWS AIRCRAFT N4116Y TAKING OFF IN TOW WITH GLIDER AIRCRAFT N65972. SHORTLY AFTER TAKE OFF IT APPEARS THE GLIDER NOSE UP HIGHER THAN TOW AIRCRAFT. GLIDER THEN APPEARS TO PITCH DOWN BRIEFLY AND THEN PITCHES TO AN EVEN HIGHER LEVEL THAN THE TOW AIRCRAFT. AT THIS POINT IT APPEARS THE TOW AIRCRAFT CUTS THE TOW LINE AND PITCHES DOWN AT AN EXTREME ANGLE CAUSING AIRCRAFT TO CRASH INTO THE RUNWAY WHERE IT BECOMES INVERTED. THE AIRCRAFT THEN SLIDES TO A STOP WHERE SHORTLY BECOMES ENGULFED IN FLAMES. ONE FATALITY TO PILOT OF AIRCRAFT N4116Y. GLIDER AIRCRAFT N65972 LANDED SAFELY ON RUNWAY WITH ONE PILOT ON BOARD.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR20LA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA141), May 9, 2020: Bellanca 8GCBC (N4116Y), Byron, CA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The tow airplane pilot’s loss of control resulting from the glider pilot’s failure to maintain a proper altitude behind the tow airplane, which caused the tail of the tow airplane to be lifted upward…

## Other reports on N4116Y (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19900331007412A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900331007412A), Mar 31, 1990: Bbavia 8GCBC (N4116Y), Byron, CA, Minor damage. Parked side of runway 22 engine running waiting to tow glider. Prop and cowl struck by landing sailplane.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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