# NTSB ANC83FA139: Bellanca 7ECA, N5052E, Mccarthy, AK, August 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1983, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Mccarthy, AK
- Location: 61.4333° N, 142.9217° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of McCarthy, AK, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4333&lon=-142.9217&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4047
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83FA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4047/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83FA139

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED BY ANOTHER PILOT TO FLY INTO A BOX CANYON. THE WITNESS STATED THAT THE ACFT THEN ATMPTD WHAT LOOKED LIKE A CHANDELLE TO REVERSE DIRECTION BUT STALLED AND CAME TO REST ON THE SIDE OF THE CANYON WALL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5052E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ECA
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1316-79
- Airframe hours: 140
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-K2C 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ft. Richarson Flying Club
- Registered owner: Marvin I. Staudinger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 20, 1983, 0 hours before
- Departed: GKN, GLENNALLEN, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MXY, Mccarthy

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 71 total, 52 in this make and model, 42 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 28.00 inHg
- Observed at: GKN, 22 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830806039089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830806039089A), Aug 6, 1983: Bbavia 7ECA, Mccarthy, AK, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Stalled and crashed into a canyon wall trying to reverse course in a blind canyon. Flying low to look for sheep.

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.

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