# NTSB ANC89FA090: Bellanca 17-30, Near Fairbanks, AK, June 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 7, 1989, 20:00 local (Jun 8, 1989, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Near Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 63.779567, -148.519805 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.7796&lon=-148.5198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5111
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89FA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5111/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89FA090

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE WHILE ENTERING A BOX CANYON AND/OR CROSSING MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN IN RESTRICTED WEATHER CONDITION.  THE TERRAIN AND WEATHER WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Analysis

THE PLT RCVD A WX BRIEFING EARLIER IN THE DAY.  DURING A DEPARTURE FROM FAIRBANKS, AK, HE REQUESTED STAGE II RADAR SERVICE TO THE SOUTH, EN ROUTE TO VALDEZ, AK.  THE ACFT NEVER ARRIVED AT VALDEZ.  ON 7/12/89, IT WAS LOCATED WHERE IT HAD CRASHED AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 7000 FT, NEAR THE TOP OF A MTN RIDGE.  IMPACT OCCURRED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE MTN ON STEEP SNOW COVERED TERRAIN IN A BOX CANYON AREA.  AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE INDCD THE LANDING GEAR WAS RETRACTED DURING IMPACT.  THE PROP WAS NOT FOUND, BUT 4 PROP ATTACH BOLTS WERE FOUND THAT HAD BEEN SHEARED.  APRX 37 MI WEST AT HEALY RIVER (ELEVATION 1294 FT), THE 1945 ADT WX WAS IN PART: 5000 FT SCATTERED, 12,000 FT SCATTERED, 18,000 FT THIN BROKEN, VISIBITY 35 MI.  ABOUT 115 MI SOUTHEAST AT GULKANA (ELEVATION 1578) THE 1952 ADT SKY CONDITION WAS: 5000 FT SCATTERED, 8000 FT BROKEN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: CGLJM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-30
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30023
- Airframe hours: 2131
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David Evans
- Registered owner: David A Evans
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 24, 1989, 9 hours before
- Departed: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK
- Destination: VDZ, VALDEZ, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 722 total, 415 in this make and model, 636 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HRR, 37 nm away

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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