# NTSB CHI87FA099: Bellanca 7ECA, N5504L, Attica, IN, March 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1987, 20:30 local (Mar 19, 1987, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Attica, IN
- Coordinates: 40.279975, -87.240653 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2800&lon=-87.2407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13635
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87FA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13635/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87FA099

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER COMPLETING A CABLE PATROL FLT, THE PLT LANDED AT SULLIVAN, IN, TO REFUEL BEFORE STARTING A NIGHT FLT TO REPOSITION THE ACFT AT LAFAYETTE, IN. THE PLT DEPARTED IN CLEAR WX. HOWEVER, AS HE WAS ARRIVING AT LAFAYETTE, HE ADVISED THE TOWER CONTROLLER THAT 'IT LOOKS LIKE I GOT ON TOP OF A LITTLE CLOUD DECK HERE.'  THE PLT WAS ADVISED THE ARPT WX WAS 1200' BROKEN, 2600' OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 7 MI WITH LIGHT RAIN. HE REQUESTED A RADAR VECTOR TO THE ARPT. HOWEVER, AS THE TOWER CONTROLLER WAS COORDINATING WITH APCH CONTROL TO IDENTIFY THE ACFT'S POSITION, CONTACT WITH THE ACFT WAS LOST. A SEARCH WAS INITIATED. THE ACFT HAD CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN, LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE. DRG THE INVESTIGATION, NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE ENG WAS PROVIDING POWER AT IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5504L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5504L-2013-04-22), registration cancelled 2013-04-22, S/N 1263-78, built 1978 (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
- Serial number: 78-1263
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harold L. Johnson
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 1987
- Departed: SIV, SULLIVAN, IN
- Destination: LAF, LAFAYETTE, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 560 total, 30 in this make and model, 395 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAF, 23 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 19870318006389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870318006389A), Mar 18, 1987: Bbavia 7ECA, Attica, IN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into clouds at night. Lost control and impacted ground at high speed. Aircraft not equipped for IFR flight.

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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