# NTSB CHI88FA012: Bellanca 8KCAB, N41682, Lawrenceville, IL, October 31, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1987, 13:18 local (18:18 UTC)
- Place: Lawrenceville, IL
- Coordinates: 38.720893, -87.679557 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7209&lon=-87.6796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13924
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88FA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13924/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88FA012

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE PERFORMING AEROBATIC MANEUVERS THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A SPIN TO THE LEFT AND DID NOT RECOVER BEFORE IMPACTING THE GROUND. THE ACFT ENTERED THE SPIN AFTER THE PLT ANNOUNCED THAT THIS SPIN WOULD BE THE LAST MANEUVER BEFORE LANDING. THE SPIN WAS STARTED AT ABOUT 1000 FT AGL. ROTATION STOPPED AND NOSE WAS BEING RAISED BUT THE ACFT CONTACTED THE GROUND BEFORE RECOVERY WAS COMPLETED. THIS TYPE OF LUNCHTIME AIRSHOW WAS NOT SANCTIONED BY FAA, BUT HAD BECOME A TRADITION AT THIS FLT SCHOOL DURING 'DADS WEEKEND'.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N41682](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N41682-1989-03-27), registration cancelled 1989-03-27, S/N 11573 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8KCAB
- Registry model: [Bellanca 8KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8kcab) (registry code 1220801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11573
- Airframe hours: 1564
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brd Trustees Vincennes Univ
- Registered owner: Board Of Trustees Vincennes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1987, 64 hours before
- Departed: LWV
- Destination: LWV
- Airport: LWV, Lawrenceville Vincinnes

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial, airline transport, 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: 4,500 total, 4,368 as pilot in command, 122 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EVV, 43 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 19871031061439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871031061439A), Oct 31, 1987: Bbavia 8KCAB, Lawrenceville, IL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Performed a spin at a low altitude. Recovered too late to prevent high speed ground impact. No acrobatic waiver.

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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