# NTSB ATL80DIA13: Bellanca 8KCAB, N5044U, Washington, VA, August 9, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 9, 1980
- Place: Washington, VA · WASHINGTON, VA
- Location: 38.7117° N, 78.1600° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Washington, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7117&lon=-78.1600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 129124
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL80DIA13
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL80DIA13

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2418   80/8/9    WASHINGTON,VA       BELLANCA 8KCAB      CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 36, 660
        TIME - 1600                    N5044U              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 19 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LEESBURG,VA                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED
           WEATHER - RAIN
           WEATHER - THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFING RECEIVED-METHOD UNKNOWN
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          BROKEN                                                    3000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          4 MILES OR LESS                                           RAIN, THUNDERSTORM
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          HAZE                                                     VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- HIT WIRE DRG LOW PASS TO READ ROAD SIGN.CONT FLT,LNDD AT DEP ARPT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5044U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5044U-2004-12-23), registration cancelled 2004-12-23, S/N 508-79, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8KCAB
- Registry model: [Bellanca 8KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8kcab) (registry code 1220801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19800809035479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800809035479A), Aug 9, 1980: Bbavia 8KCAB, Washington, VA, Substantial damage. Weather worsened in area. Flew low to read road signs for location. Hit power line. Landed safely.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
