# NTSB BFO86FA047: Bellanca 8GCBC, N53899, Woodbine, MD, September 14, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1986, 18:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Woodbine, MD
- Coordinates: 39.3302, -77.059768 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3302&lon=-77.0598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 3, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11215
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO86FA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11215/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86FA047

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT NOSE OVER INTO A DIVE AFTER THE GLIDER IT HAD BEEN TOWING RELEASED. THEY THEN SAW IT ROLL AND DURING THE ROLL THE LEFT WING DEPARTED THE AIRCRAFT. THE CFI IN THE GLIDER HAD OBSERVED THE PILOT OF N53899 PERFORM WHAT APPEARED TO BE A SNAP ROLL ON THE FLIGHT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. ALTHOUGH HE DID NOT SEE THE AIRCRAFT AFTER HE RELEASED FROM N53899, BOTH HE AND HIS STUDENT HEARD ENGINE NOISES SIMILIAR TO THE NOISES THEY HAD HEARD ON THE PRIOR FLIGHT WHEN THEY OBSERVED THE ROLL MANEUVER. REPEATED DETAILED EXAMINATIONS OF THE SEPARATED WING DID NOT REVEAL ANY PRE-EXISTING FAILURE AREAS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53899](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53899-1989-01-12), registration cancelled 1989-01-12, S/N 19176 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8GCBC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 8GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8gcbc) (registry code 1220803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 191-76
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C2E 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aviation Consumer Services Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 27, 1985
- Airport: Woodbine

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,292 total, 115 in this make and model, 3,195 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI, 24 nm away

## Other investigations on N53899 (1)

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.

- [NTSB ATL82DA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA053), Feb 15, 1982: Bellanca 8GCBC (N53899), Stevensville, MD, substantial damage

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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