# NTSB ANC83LA130: Bellanca Citabria 7GCBC, N50509, Seward, AK, July 23, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1983, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Seward, AK
- Coordinates: 60.050109, -149.329208 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.0501&lon=-149.3292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4147
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA130
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4147/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA130

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
  - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS FLYING AT 200 FEET AGL, AT ABOUT 65 MPH IN A LEFT TURN, SPOTTING FISH FOR A FISHING VESSEL WHEN A MAP THAT WAS ON HIS LAP FELL TO THE FLOOR. WHEN HE REACHED FOR IT HIS LEFT HAND HIT THE THROTTLE, REDUCING POWER. BEFORE HE COULD RECOVER THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE WATER. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50509](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50509-2013-03-21), registration cancelled 2013-03-21, S/N 1143-79, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA CITABRIA 7GCBC (CITABRIA 7)
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (registry code 1220601) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 1662
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gerald R. Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 3, 1983, 6 hours before
- Departed: LHD, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: CDV, CORDOVA, AK
- Airport: SWD, Seward

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 3,500 total, 1,662 in this make and model, 3,455 as pilot in command, 360 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830723038939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830723038939A), Jul 23, 1983: Bbavia 7GCBC, Seward, AK, Substantial damage. Airplane hit the water and sank during low altitude fish spotting. Pilot had reached down to recover a map.

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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