# NTSB CHI88FA102: Bellanca 7ECA, N31288, Merrimac, WI, May 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 1, 1988, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Merrimac, WI
- Coordinates: 43.369968, -89.620536 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3700&lon=-89.6205&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13942
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88FA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13942/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88FA102

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD JUST TAKEN OFF FROM A PRIVATE STRIP AND IMMEDIATELY ENTERED A HIGH ANGLE OF BANK TURN TO THE LEFT AT LOW ALTITUDE. A WITNESS, WHO WAS AN EXPERIENCED AEROBATIC PILOT, ESTIMATED THE ANGLE OF BANK TO APPROACH 90 DEGREES. THE NOSE WAS SEEN TO PITCH DOWN, AND THE AIRPLANE DISAPPEARED BELOW THE TREE LINE. IMPACT WAS IN A FARMER'S FIELD ONE-QUARTER MILE FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N31288 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ECA
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 889-73
- Airframe hours: 2913
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Waterloo Flying Club
- Registered owner: Waterloo Flying Club Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 1988, 17 hours before
- Destination: C29, MIDDLETON, WI
- Airport: NONE, Private Strip, runway 9, 2,100 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,048 total, 600 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSN, 19 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 19880501011099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880501011099A), May 1, 1988: Bbavia 7ECA, Merrimac, WI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Made 90 degree bank on climbout. Aircraft stalled. Dived into ground.

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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