# NTSB ANC89LA116: Bellanca 7GCBC, N88273, Killey River, AK, July 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1989, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Killey River, AK
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5219
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5219/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA116

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO ASSURE SUFFICIENT ALT WAS OBTAINED TO COMPENSATE FOR THE DOWNDRAFTS NEAR THE RIDGE LINE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - mountain wave (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - attempted, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vyse) - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS FLYING AT AN ALT OF 50-75 FEET AGL SPOTTING BEAR WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE FLT WAS TRAVELING TOWARD A RIDGE LINE AND THE PLT REPORTED A DOWNDRAFT FROM THE RIDGE CAUSED THE ACFT TO LOSE ALT. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO RECOVER WITH FULL PWR; HOWEVER, THE ACFT STALLED AT AN ALT OF 10 FT AGL AND DESCENDED TO IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88273](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88273), registered now, S/N 755-74, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCBC
- 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
- Serial number: 75574
- Airframe hours: 1060
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas D. Dunn
- Registered owner: Thomas D Dunn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SOLDOTNA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 697 total, 624 in this make and model, 697 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890706020249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890706020249A), Jul 6, 1989: Bbavia 7GCBC, Kenai, AK, Substantial damage. Crashed into ground while maneuvering at a low altitude. Blamed windshear but wind was light.

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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