# NTSB ANC90FA042: Bellanca 7ACA, N68596, Wasilla, AK, March 24, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1990, 09:10 local (13:10 UTC)
- Place: Wasilla, AK
- Location: 61.5785° N, 149.4763° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wasilla, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5785&lon=-149.4763&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5286
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90FA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5286/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90FA042

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PIC TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED TO PRECLUDE A STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - precautionary landing - simulated
  - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING A ROUTINE CIVIL AIR PATROL (CAP) FLIGHT CHECK. THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND (PIC) WAS THE OWNER OF THE AIRPLANE AND A CAP MEMBER. THE CHECK PILOT WAS ALSO A CAP MEMBER AND A CFI. THE FLIGHT PROCEEDED NORMALLY UNTIL A SIMULATED EMERGENCY LANDING. THE CFI SAID THAT THE PIC MADE AN APPROACH TO A SMALL AIRSTRIP AND ELECTED TO SLIP THE AIRPLANE TO LOSE ALTITUDE. HE SAID THAT THE PIC INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE AIRPLANE AND ENTERED A SPIN, COLLIDING WITH TREES BEFORE A RECOVERY COULD BE MADE. THE CFI SAID THAT HE DID NOT HAVE A FLIGHT CONTROL STICK IN THE REAR COCKPIT; HE SAID THAT THE PIC TOLD HIM THAT HE DIDN'T HAVE ONE IN THE AIRPLANE. AN UNDAMAGED SPARE FLIGHT CONTROL STICK WAS FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE ALONG SIDE THE REAR SEAT, AND THE CFI SAID HE WOULD HAVE INSTALLED IT IF HE HAD KNOWN THAT IT WAS THERE. THE CFI SAID THAT NEITHER CAP NOR FAA REGULATIONS REQUIRED DUAL FLIGHT CONTROLS FOR A NON-INSTRUCTIONAL EVALUATION FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68596](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68596-2013-05-02), registration cancelled 2013-05-02, S/N 66-72, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ACA
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7ACA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7aca) (registry code 1220438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 2A4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-2a4-series) (registry code 27001, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 66-72
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: John M. Dunn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: Z15, CHUGIAK, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: Philos, runway 12, 1,200 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,640 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 95° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAQ, 7 nm away

## 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 19900324005189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900324005189A), Mar 24, 1990: Bbavia 7DC, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. On proficiency flight check, stalled and crashed trying to slip for landing. Check pilot had no rear control stick.

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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