# NTSB CHI88FA120: Bellanca 17-30A, N28156, Wautoma, WI, May 31, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1988, 20:02 local (May 31, 1988, 01:02 UTC)
- Place: Wautoma, WI
- Coordinates: 44.060451, -89.289749 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0605&lon=-89.2897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13944
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88FA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13944/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88FA120

## Probable cause

PERFORMANCE OF AN AEROBATIC MANEUVER WITH INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE FOR RECOVERY.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - descent - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - other psychological condition, pilot in command

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE PILOT PERFORMED A HIGH PERFORMANCE TAKEOFF FOLLOWED BY A WINGOVER MANEUVER. NO RECOVERY OR PULL-UP FROM THE MANEUVER WAS SEEN BY WITNESSES. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED A DENSE STAND OF 20 TO 30 FOOT PINE TREES. THE AIRPORT MANAGER SAW AND SPOKE TO THE PILOT BEFORE THE FLIGHT. ACCORDING TO THE AIRPORT MANAGER, THE PILOT WAS ATYPICALLY UNRESPONSIVE AND WITHDRAWN AS IF SOMETHING WAS BOTHERING HIM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28156](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28156-1989-04-27), registration cancelled 1989-04-27, S/N 8030985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 17-30A
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30a) (registry code 1220433) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 80-30985
- Airframe hours: 1038
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-K 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ronald R. Campbell, doing business as Campbell Tree & Land Co., Inc.
- Registered owner: Campbell Tree & Land, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 1988, 7 hours before
- Departed: Y50
- Destination: Y50
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,595 total, 1,395 in this make and model, 1,508 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OSH, 30 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 19880530016259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880530016259A), May 30, 1988: Blanca 1730A, Wautoma, WI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft observed in steep pullup on takeoff. Dived into trees. Pseudoephedrine O5MCG/G.

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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