# NTSB ATL89FA088: Bellanca 7GCBC, N4126Y, Jackson, GA, February 16, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 16, 1989, 17:55 local (22:55 UTC)
- Place: Jackson, GA
- Location: 33.2924° N, 83.9678° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Jackson, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2924&lon=-83.9678&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7877
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89FA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7877/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA088

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER HANDLING OF THE AIRPLANE WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN AND SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S DECISION TO PERFORM AEROBATIC MANEUVERS AT LOW ALTITUDE, AND COMPLACENCY ABOUT PERFORMING SUCH MANEUVERS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - maneuver - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4126Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4126Y-2013-07-19), registration cancelled 2013-07-19, S/N 950-76, built 1976 (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: 950-76
- Airframe hours: 812
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph W. Gudger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1989, 9 hours before
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATL, 32 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 19890216002009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890216002009A), Feb 16, 1989: Bbavia 7GCBC, Jackson, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control and entered a spin while performing acrobatics at a low altitude. Failed to recover from the spin.

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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