# NTSB CHI88LA085: Bellanca 8GCBC, N5044G, Indianapolis, IN, March 26, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 26, 1988, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Indianapolis, IN
- Coordinates: 39.950794, -86.269287 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9508&lon=-86.2693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14059
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88LA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14059/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA085

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, taxi - from landing
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

FIFTEEN MINUTES AFTER THE PILOT HAD TAKEN OFF ON A TOW PLANE OPERATION HE RETURNED TO THE LOCAL ARPT. AFTER LANDING HE TURNED DOWNWIND TO TAXI TO THE RAMP. THE WIND RAISED THE TAIL OF THE TAILWHEEL ACFT AND NOSED THE ACFT INVERTED. THE PILOT ESTIMATED THE WIND AT 18 KNOTS GUSTING TO 28.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5044G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5044G), registered now, S/N 304-79 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 8GCBC
- Registry model: [Bellanca 8GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-8gcbc) (registry code 1220803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30479
- Airframe hours: 1563
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C2E 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Central Indiana Soaring Societ
- Registered owner: Central In. Soaring Society
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 19, 1988, 4 hours before
- Airport: 152, Indianapolis Terry, runway 22, 2,700 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 21,506 total, 81 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND, 23 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 19880326006579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880326006579A), Mar 26, 1988: Bbavia 8GCBC, Indianapolis, IN, Substantial damage. Blown over by a wind gust turning off the runway after landing from a glider tow.

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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