# NTSB ATL86FA040: Bellanca 8KCAB, N2697Z, Springfield, TN, December 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 15, 1985, 14:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Springfield, TN
- Coordinates: 36.490028, -86.869125 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4900&lon=-86.8691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6914
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6914/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA040

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - below, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND INVERTED. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ACFT WAS PERFORMING LOOPS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. REPORTEDLY, THE PLT WAS GIVING A FEMALE COMPANION A 'JOY RIDE'. THE PLT HAD RECENTLY RECEIVED HIS COMMERCIAL CERT. INSTRUMENT RATING & CFI CERTIFICATE. HE HAD LOGGED 3 HRS OF AEROBATIC INSTRUCTION & 14 HRS OF AEROBATIC PRACTICE IN BELLANCA 8KCAB. DURING THE 90 DAYS PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT THE PLT HAD LOGGED ONLY 2 HRS IN THE BELLANCA 8KCAB. DURING THE INVESTIGATION, NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND WITNIN THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2697Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2697Z-1988-07-18), registration cancelled 1988-07-18, S/N 36778 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8KCAB
- Registry model: [Bellanca 8KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8kcab) (registry code 1220801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 367-68
- Airframe hours: 1383
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-320-E2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William Aviation
- Registered owner: Jeffrey A. Clanton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 19, 1985, 233 hours before
- Departed: M91

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 236 total, 17 in this make and model, 139 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BNA, 30 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 19851215061989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851215061989A), Dec 15, 1985: Bbavia 8KCAB, Springfield, TN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft collided with the ground inverted after performing loops. Pilot had consumed alcohol.

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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