# NTSB CHI88DER02: Bellanca 7GCBC, N53808, Warroad, MN, February 26, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: February 26, 1988, 17:44 local (23:44 UTC)
- Place: Warroad, MN
- Coordinates: 48.899082, -95.320495 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.8991&lon=-95.3205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13887
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DER02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13887/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DER02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF CONTROL AND RAPID DESCENT ONTO THE ICE IN WHAT WITNESSES DESCRIBED AS A SPIN TYPE MANEUVER FROM A LOW ALTITUDE. THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS A LOW LEVEL PHOTO MISSION. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53808](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53808-2013-03-21), registration cancelled 2013-03-21, S/N 868-75, built 1975 (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: 868-75
- Airframe hours: 860
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Boyd H. Ellingson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 25, 1987, 101 hours before
- Departed: RAD, WARROAD, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,817 total, 53 in this make and model, 1,538 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RAD, 1 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 19880226023949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880226023949A), Feb 26, 1988: Bbavia 7GCBC, Warroad, MN, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Stalled and crashed while taking pictures at 300 ft AGL. Vertical ground impact precluded survival.

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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