# NTSB ATL88FA256: Bellanca 14-19-3, N7637E, Oak Grove, AL, September 28, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1988, 19:10 local (Sep 28, 1988, 00:10 UTC)
- Place: Oak Grove, AL
- Location: 33.1904° N, 86.3037° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Oak Grove, AL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1904&lon=-86.3037&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 8, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7624
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88FA256
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7624/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA256

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - flight/nav instruments,attitude indicator - unreliable (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - overload
  - wing - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7637E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7637E-1992-12-10), registration cancelled 1992-12-10, S/N 4139 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 14-19-3
- Registry model: [Bellanca 14-19-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-14-19-3) (registry code 3080106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4139
- Airframe hours: 1255
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-F 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: John J. Austin
- Registered owner: Austin, John J
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 18, 1987, 40 hours before
- Departed: PNS, PENSACOLA, FL
- Destination: SBN, SOUTH BEND, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,332 total, 68 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 160° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BHM, 15 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 19880927046429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880927046429A), Sep 27, 1988: Blanca 14193, Oak Grove, AL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Aircraft broke up in flight,indicates operated in clouds. Lost control and spiral dive. Pilot not instrument current

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.