# NTSB ANC89FA057: Bellanca 7GCBC, N86836, Eklutna, AK, April 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1989, 14:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Eklutna, AK
- Coordinates: 61.41064, -149.170669 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4106&lon=-149.1707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5105
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89FA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5105/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89FA057

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THIS PRIVATE CERTIFICATED PILOT AND HIS STUDENT PILOT SON WERE FATALLY INJURED WHEN THEY CRASHED ON A MOUNTAIN SIDE WHILE PRESUMABLY TAKING VIDEO MOVIES OF SHEEP. THREE PERSONS ON THE GROUND HAD SEEN THE AIRPLANE CIRCLING NEAR THE SHEEP ABOUT THREE MINUTES BEFORE SEEING THE SMOKE FROM THE WRECKAGE. THE FATHER AND SON JOINTLY OPERATED A PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS. THE FATHER'S LAST FAA MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WAS DATED 3-2-76. THE AIRPLANE WAS USING AUTO GAS FOR WHICH IT HAD NOT BEEN GRANTED A STC.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N86836](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N86836-1989-07-17), registration cancelled 1989-07-17, S/N 68774 (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: 687-74
- Airframe hours: 1377
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry Hiser
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 29, 1988, 79 hours before
- Departed: Z15, CHUGIAK, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 205 total, 32 in this make and model, 172 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890404007959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890404007959A), Apr 4, 1989: Bbavia 7GCBC, Eklutna Lake, AK, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Stalled and spun into trees near a mountain top. Was seen to circle area. No medical biennial or checkout in type.

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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