# NTSB ANC87LA113: Bellanca 7GCBC, N5052C, Happy Valley, AK, July 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1987, 01:00 local (09:00 UTC)
- Place: Happy Valley, AK
- Location: 59.9472° N, 151.7322° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Happy Valley, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.9472&lon=-151.7322&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4883
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4883/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA113

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - clouds (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (cause)
  - weather evaluation - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE MOUNTAIN AT THE 4000 FOOT LEVEL. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT SEVERAL WITNESSES STATED THAT THE WEATHER WAS IFR, LOW CEILING, GROUND FOG, AND THE PREVAILING VISIBILITY WAS LESS THAN ONE MILE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5052C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5052C-1990-08-27), registration cancelled 1990-08-27, S/N 114679 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCBC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc) (registry code 1220601) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 114679
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John T. Dillon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 1987, 46 hours before
- Departed: KAVIK, AK
- Destination: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 418 total, 355 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles

## 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 19870726043839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870726043839A), Jul 26, 1987: Bbavia 7GCBC, Happy Valley, AK, Destroyed, 2 fatal. The aircraft impacted a ridge. Suspect the VFR pilot attempted flight in IFR conditions. Pilot fatigue a factor.

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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