# NTSB CHI81FA082: Bellanca 7ECA, N86580, Delevan, IL, August 2, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 2, 1981
- Place: Delevan, IL · DELEVAN, IL
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 18, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 124093
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI81FA082
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FA082

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2749   81/8/2    DELEVAN,IL          BELLANCA 7ECA       CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 33, 157
        TIME - 1825                    N86580              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 121 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          OSHKOSH,WI                  ST LOUIS,MO
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - RAIN
           WEATHER - THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  400
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          2 MILES OR LESS                                          RAIN
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          HAZE                                                      74
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      NONE
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N86580](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N86580-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 1003-74, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ECA
- Registry model: [Bellanca 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7eca) (registry code 1220460) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19810802046959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810802046959A), Aug 2, 1981: Bbavia 7ECA, Delavan, IL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Indicates VFR pilot entered clouds in area of thunderstorms. Lost control. Airplane not equipped for IMC.

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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