# NTSB CHI88FA188: Bellanca 7ECA, N2956Z, Flushing, MI, August 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1988, 10:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Flushing, MI
- Coordinates: 43.060688, -83.839714 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0607&lon=-83.8397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13958
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88FA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13958/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88FA188

## Probable cause

PILOT'S PHYSICAL INCAPACITATION DUE TO A CORONARY SEIZURE, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL, AND A STALL/SPIN INTO THE GROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - pull-up - abrupt, pilot in command
  - incapacitation(cardiovascular), pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - encountered
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AS THE AIRPLANE WAS CLIMBING THRU ABOUT 100 TO 200 FT ABOVE THE GROUND, IT WAS OBSERVED TO PITCH UP, THEN BANK RIGHT & NOSED DOWN IN WHAT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE A 3/4 TURN SPIN BEFORE IMPACTING THE GROUND. NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT STRUCTURE OR ENGINE WAS FOUND. A PATHOLOGICAL EXAM OF THE PILOT REVEALED EXTENSIVE CHEST INJURIES AND AN ACUTE OCCLUSION OF THE LEFT ANTERIOR DESCENDING CORONARY ARTERY. THE CORONER BELIEVED THE PILOT SUFFERED A CORONARY SEIZURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2956Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2956Z), registered now, S/N 1245-78, 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: 1245-78
- Airframe hours: 2780
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: E. Dalton, doing business as Dalton Aviation Co.
- Registered owner: Edwin P Dalton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 7, 1987, 30 hours before
- Departed: 3DA
- Destination: 3DA
- Airport: 3DA, Daltons, runway 18, 2,500 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,311 total, 7 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FNT, 7 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 19880803029929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880803029929A), Aug 3, 1988: Bbavia 7ECA, Flushing, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pilot had heart attack on takeoff and lost consciousness. Plane pulled up, stalled and spun in. Had abnormal heart.

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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